Hans Christian Andersen

The Fairy Tale King, Hans Christian Andersen born April 2, 1805 in Odense, Demark. Andersen also wrote plays, novels, poem and travelogues. His fairy tales are not just for children; they teach, bring nationalities together, and jump over age barriers. Andersen's fairy tales have been translated into more than 125 languages, inspired ballets, plays, live-action and animated films.

Andersen's father introduced Hans to literature but it wasn't until he moved to Copenhagen seeking work as an actor that he started writing poems. While in Copenhagen, Andersen met Jonas Collin who sent Hans to grammar school. At that time Andersen published his first story The Ghost at Palnatoke' Grave. Hans did not particularly care for school, but he did do well.

Anderson wrote a short story A Journey on Foot from Holmen's Canal to the East Point of Amager where the protagonist interacts with St. Peter, a talking cat and several other interesting characters (1829). Then in 1833 he set out on one of his many journeys though Europe. During his journeys he wrote Agnete and the Merman, The Bay of Fables, and the Improvisatore. This last piece was an autobiography that won Andersen instant acclaim.

During 1835 through 1837 Andersen wrote his humorous and dark fairy tales. Nine tales including The Tinderbox, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and the Little Mermaid were all included in his first volume. Andersen then wrote poems intended to capture the beauty of the Nordic spirit (1839). He returned to fairy tales in 1838 with a second fairy tale volume that included The Wild Swans. From 1845 until 1872 Andersen continued to write fairy tales.

Andersen never married but he loved many women and it is supposed, men. He wrote The Nightingale as a love story for Jenny Lind but his love was not reciprocated. He also wrote a letter to Edvard Collin saying, "I languish for you as for a pretty Calabrian wench. My sentiment for you is those of women."

Anderson died On August 4, 1875 near Copenhagen. He is honored by his country with a large statue that can be seen in the Rosenborg Castle gardens.