<P> In 1897 , Dr. Philip O'Hanlon , a coroner 's assistant on Manhattan 's Upper West Side , was asked by his then eight - year - old daughter , Virginia O'Hanlon ( 1889 -- 1971 ) , whether Santa Claus really existed . O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun , a prominent New York City newspaper at the time , assuring her that `` If you see it in The Sun , it 's so . '' In so doing , Dr. O'Hanlon had unwittingly given one of the paper 's editors , Francis Pharcellus Church , an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it . </P>
<P> In 1897 , Dr. Philip O'Hanlon , a coroner 's assistant on Manhattan 's Upper West Side , was asked by his then eight - year - old daughter , Virginia O'Hanlon ( 1889 -- 1971 ) , whether Santa Claus really existed . O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun , a prominent New York City newspaper at the time , assuring her that `` If you see it in The Sun , it 's so . '' In so doing , Dr. O'Hanlon had unwittingly given one of the paper 's editors , Francis Pharcellus Church , an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it . </P>
who wrote yes virginia there is a santa claus
who wrote yes virginia there is a santa claus
Francis Pharcellus Church
Francis Pharcellus Church