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Hans Christian Andersen (view source)
Revision as of 00:21, January 7, 2009
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'''Hans Christian Anderson''' (April 2, 1805 - August 4, 1875) Was a [[Danish]] [[poet]] and [[author]], famously known for his [[fairy tales]]. His fairy tales have been translated to over 150 different languages and has sold millions of copies.
'''Hans Christian Anderson''' (April 2, 1805 - August 4, 1875) Was a [[Danish]] [[poet]] and [[author]], famously known for his [[fairy tales]]. His fairy tales have been translated to over 150 different languages and has sold millions of copies.
In the [[English]]-speaking world, the stories "The Ugly Duckling", "The Little Mermaid, "The Emperor's New Clothes", and "The Princess and the Pea" are cultural universals; everyone knows them, though not everyone can name the author. They have become part of our common heritage, and, like the tales of [[Charles Perrault]], are no longer distinguished from actual folk-tales such as those of the [[Brothers Grimm]].
==Childhood Years==
==Childhood Years==
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.
==Midlife==
In the 1850s, Andersen visited Charles Dickens. Dickens did not like him, and the very unpleasant character of Uriah Heep in David Copperfield is thought to be based on Andersen.
Some people think that Andersen's story "The Nightingale", first published in 1843, is a reference to the famous singer Jenny Lind, who was called "the Swedish Nightingale." Andersen loved Jenny Lind, but she did not love him back.
==Sexuality==
==Sexuality==