What Is Hans Christian Andersen Most Famous For?

This world-famous author had a difficult start in life. Born in 1805, he was the son of a cobbler and a washerwoman, and grew up in poverty. However, he managed to obtain an education (there is some uncertainty as to who paid for this) and soon began to make his living, first as an actor and singer, and later as a playwright and novelist. Despite struggles, he managed to travel widely in Europe, and gradually achieved a reputation as a writer, although it was the publication of his first fairy-tales in 1835 which brought him real fame. After this, his reputation grew rapidly. His tales were published in English in 1846, and soon became a part of the national folklore, as they have done in every country where they are known. We still refer to "the Ugly Duckling," "The Emperor's New Clothes," and so on, although apart from the fairy tales Andersen's work is lttle known today. He died in 1875.