Francis Pharcellus Church

Francis Pharcellus Church (1839–1906) was an American journalist and editor associated with *The Sun* of New York. He is best known for writing the newspaper’s 1897 editorial “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” published in response to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon. The piece, which argued for the reality of Santa Claus as a symbol of love, generosity, and faith, became one of the most reprinted editorials in American journalism. Church also worked as a reporter and editor and wrote on a range of topics beyond the famous Christmas editorial.