ANSWER
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 by a copywriter named Robert L. May who worked for Montgomery Ward stores. It was created as a promotional item that the stores could give away to their customers.
Initially, May saw no money from his creation, as Montgomery Ward owned the rights to Rudolph. By January 1947 May was heavily in debt due to the terminal illness of his wife. In an unusual act of corporate kindness, Sewell Avery, then president of Montgomery Ward, agreed to turn over the copyright for Rudolph to May. Although this would make May financially secure for the rest of his live, May continued to work for Montgomery Ward, excluding a seven year hiatus during which he managed the business surrounding Rudolph, until his retirement in 1971.
About the song: May's brother-in-law Johnny Marks wrote the melody and developed the lyrics to the now famous song. It was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949, and became one of the best selling songs of all time, second only to "White Christmas".
-- from The San Fernando Valley Folklore Society's Urban Legends Reference Pages (http://www.snopes.com)
WHO GOT IT RIGHT: Andie J.
