![Hans Christian Anderson](/projects/fairy-tales/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/people/hans.jpg?itok=UcBa_M-Y)
Best known for his fairy tales, Hans Christian Anderson (April 2, 1805- August 4, 1875) was a prolific Danish author. Born in poverty, Anderson was able to attend school with the help of Jonas Collin, one of the directors of the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, who raised money for him, and in 1828 was admitted to the University of Copenhagen. His first important literary works came soon after, in the forms of novels and playwriting. Anderson鈥檚 first collection of fairy tales was 鈥淓ventyr, fortalte for b酶rn鈥 (鈥淭ales, Told for Children鈥), published in 1835, and included stories such as 鈥淭he Tinderbox鈥 and 鈥淭he Princess and the Pea鈥. New collections and editions came soon after. Anderson鈥檚 fairy tales became popular and have endured time because they speak to a child鈥檚 perspective while introducing new feelings and ideas. His stories draw from old folk tales, all the while creating new narratives which explore the power of goodness, of being an outcast, and of unhappy endings.
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