Changes

Born in [[Denmark]], Anderson displayed great intelligence and imagination, making a toy-theatre and clothes for his puppets, acting out plays he read where ever he could, including plays from [[William Shakespeare]] and [[Ludvig Holdberg]]. He had been known to have memorized entire plays, his passion for literature fostered by his parents (and his mother's superstitions).

Born in [[Denmark]], Anderson displayed great intelligence and imagination, making a toy-theatre and clothes for his puppets, acting out plays he read where ever he could, including plays from [[William Shakespeare]] and [[Ludvig Holdberg]]. He had been known to have memorized entire plays, his passion for literature fostered by his parents (and his mother's superstitions).

After Anderson's father perished in a fire in 1816, he took up a job as a [[weaver]] and [[tailor]]. Later working in a [[cigarette]] factory, co-workers humiliated him by pulling his trousers down after taking bets on whether he were a female or not. After turning fourteen, Anderson moved to Copenhagen to search for employment as an [[actor]].

After Anderson's father perished in a fire in 1816, he took up a job as a [[weaver]] and [[tailor]]. Later working in a [[cigarette]] factory, co-workers humiliated him by pulling his trousers down after taking bets on whether he were a female or not. After turning fourteen, Anderson moved to [[Copenhagen]] to search for employment as an [[actor]].

By chance, Anderson runs into Jonas Collins, impressed by his abilities, pays all expenses and sends him to a grammar school in Slagelse. Though unwilling, Anderson studied in two schools, in Slagelse, and in Elsinore. He stated that these were the darkest years of his life; being abused by his schoolmaster to "build character", and being alienated by fellow students, due to his older age and unattractive appeal. He may have had [[dyslexia]], which would explain his difficulty in learning, and he was discouraged to write. Even so, he came to have learned Dutch, Scandinavian, German, and English languages to a fair extent.

By chance, Anderson runs into Jonas Collins, impressed by his abilities, pays all expenses and sends him to a grammar school in Slagelse. Though unwilling, Anderson studied in two schools, in Slagelse, and in Elsinore. He stated that these were the darkest years of his life; being abused by his schoolmaster to "build character", and being alienated by fellow students, due to his older age and unattractive appeal. He may have had [[dyslexia]], which would explain his difficulty in learning, and he was discouraged to write. Even so, he came to have learned Dutch, Scandinavian, German, and English languages to a fair extent.