Is Santa Claus based on a real person? And who was that person?

Answer 1

The Truth About Santa Claus (Library Binding)
by James Cross Giblin
Giblin's new book is meant for young readers but adults can learn from it a great deal about the jolly fat man in the red suit. Like the author's Chimney Sweeps, Walls: Defenses Throughout History, etc., this book is based on solid research and illustrated by period and contemporary pictures. The text starts with an investigation of St. Nicholas who lived in Asia Minor circa a.d. 280. A bishop, Nicholas was known for his generosity to needy folk and credited with miraculous powers. Giblin traces the evolution of Santa Claus down the centuries to Father Christmas in England and Sinter Claes in Holland. He became our Santa Claus in America during the 1800s, thanks to four men whose efforts ensured acceptance of the Yuletide gift-giver: John Pintard and Washington Irving of the New-York Historical Society, Clement Clark Moore and cartoonist Thomas Nast. Their histories alone make an absorbing read.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

***

Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus
How did the kindly Christian saint, good Bishop Nicholas, become a roly-poly red-suited American symbol for merry holiday festivity and commercial activity?

The first Europeans to arrive in the New World brought St. Nicholas. Vikings dedicated their cathedral to him in Greenland. On his first voyage, Columbus named a Haitian port for St. Nicholas on December 6, 1492. In Florida, Spaniards named an early settlement St. Nicholas Ferry, now known as Jacksonville. However, St. Nicholas had a difficult time during the 16th century Protestant Reformation which took a dim view of saints. Even though both reformers and counter-reformers tried to stamp out St. Nicholas-related customs, they had very little long-term success; only in England were the religious folk traditions of Christmas permanently altered. (It is ironic that fervent Puritan Christians began what turned into a trend to a more secular Christmas observance.) Because the common people so loved St. Nicholas, he survived on the European continent as people continued to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth.

Learn more on:

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Santa Claus based on a real person? And who was that person?

Answer 3

Yes Santa Claus is based on a real person.
The original Santa was the Bishop of Myra who lived in the 4th century. We know him as Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus.Myra was the name then of what we now know as Demre, in Antalya provence of Turkey. He shows up in one form or another in many countries of the world in their Christmas celebrations. Papa Noel, Father Christmas, St. Nick, to name a few. He is strangely enough the patron saint of children and merchants among others. For more information on him go to Santa Claus in wickapedia.
Sandy Claws

Answer 4

Yes, Santa Claus is based on St. Nicolas. The traditions of Santa go back to European folklore and have come together through the ages and

Answer 5

Santa Claus is real.

I don't know what you're talking about!

Answer 6

Yes, he is based on this guy called St. Nicholas.
And he would give gifts to children on christmas.

Answer 7

Saint Nicholas a very charitable and generous person

Answer 8

he was a real person a long time ago, who went around and gave presents. I learned this 10 years ago. Why? Ur 6 months early.

Answer 9

santa claus was actually st. nick

Answer 10

St Nicholas....