O'Hanlon, Virginia (c. 1899–1971)

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O'Hanlon, Virginia (c. 1899–1971)

American literary inspiration. Name variations: Virginia O'Hanlon Douglas. Born Virginia O'Hanlon, c. 1889, in New York, NY; died May 13, 1971, age 81, in Valatie, NY; dau. of Philip O'Hanlon, a physician for NY police department; Hunter College, BA, 1910; Columbia University, MA, 1911; married with children.

Was 8 years old and lived at 115 West 95th St. when she wrote to the editor of the New York Sun to inquire if there really was a Santa Claus (Sept 1897), and a writer named Francis Church responded with the oft-quoted editorial that began, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"; taught school in New York City for 47 years (1912–59), becoming a school principal.

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