Hans Christian Andersen

   Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and poet. He was born in Odense April 2, 1805. Hans Christian Andersen's own life was like a fairy tale. He was born the son of a poor cobbler and he died a rich and famous man, celebrated around the world, the intimate of kings and queens. Although today Hans Christian Andersen is generally known as a writer of stories for children, but during his lifetime he was also celebrated for his other literary works- including six novels, five travel journals, three autobiographies and for many poems and plays.
   When Hans Christian Andersen was 11, his father died. He was leaving the family more destitute than ever, and he was sent off to factory work. In 1819, at the age of 14, he left home and traveling alone to Copenhagen to make his fame and fortune. In his early days, Hans Christian Andersen wanted to become an opera singer. For this reason, he went to Copenhagen to become an opera singer. His voice was too weak. For this, he was accepted as a dance student at the Royal Theater. The Director of the Royal Theater took him under his shelter and remained his friend until the end of his life. 

   King Frederick VI was interested in the boy (Hans Christian Andersen) personally and arranged for him to study for free in a classical school of Arts. In 1822, even before starting school, Hans Christian Andersen released in his first book. Hans Christian Andersen achieved a huge success with his book - "A Journey on Foot from Holman's Canal to the East Point of Amager". This book is also published in German. In 1833 received a travel award from the King. That way Hans Christian Andersen made his first travels across Europe- visiting France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. In early 1835 his first novel, named "Improviser" and later that year he released his first volume of fairy tales, called “Andersen's Fairy Tales”. The short stories book, named "Album without pictures," released in 1840. It brought Hans Christian Andersen even more success. 
   Hans Christian Andersen Liked to travel new places. He wrote his traveling experiences in a book “A poet’s Bazaar”. Almost until the end of his life Andersen traveled to countries near and far. 
   Hans Christian Andersen died on August 4, 1875 near Copenhagen, crowned with a worldwide fame. 
   Between 1835 and 1872 he created over 150 fairy tales and stories. Later these were translated into about 125 languages all over the world. In his honor a monument that became a symbol of Copenhagen - a bronze statue of a little mermaid. Hans Christian Andersen is considering as the most popular author of children’s literature in the world.