Andersen, Hans Christian
Andersen, Hans Christian (1805-75), Danish writer of fairy tales, such as “The Ugly Duckling’ and The Snow Queen’. The son of a cobbler, he ran away at 14 to Copenhagen, where he found a rich patron who financed his education. His first volume of fairy tales, of which he wrote more than 150, was published in 1835 and included ‘The Tinderbox’ and ‘The Princess and the Pea’. Although Andersen also wrote novels and plays, his international fame rests on the tales, which have been translated into many languages. The statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen harbour is a tribute to him.
Andersen’s Death March Shortly before his death, Hans Christian Andersen was asked about the march for his funeral by the man commissioned to write it. “Make the beat keep time with little steps”, he is said to have replied, “As most of the people who walk after me will children.”
