Fletcher Harper (January 31, 1806 – May 29, 1877) was a prominent American publisher who, along with his three brothers, founded the influential Harper & Brothers publishing house. Born in Newtown, New York, he is best remembered for launching three major periodicals: Harper's Weekly and Harper's Magazine in 1850, and Harper's Bazaar in 1867. He famously gave cartoonist Thomas Nast his start at Harper's Weekly, granting him great editorial freedom, which led to Nast's powerful Civil War illustrations that earned the paper praise from President Abraham Lincoln as "The greatest recruiter for the United States Military." The publication also featured the first modern image of Santa Claus, drawn by Nast. Harper died in New York City on May 29, 1877, and his paper's influence waned when his successor, George William Curtis, imposed restrictions on Nast, eventually causing the artist to quit in 1886.