The Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen was born in the city of Odense, in Denmark, in 1805. His fairy tales are world famous. Some are about ordinary children, many are about being different from others, feeling undervalued, or being hopelessly in love. In 1843, he met and fell in love with the Swedish singer Jenny Lind, but she thought of him only as a friend.

Children can enjoy Andersen’s tales, but they can be read by adults, too. On a visit to England in 1847, Andersen enjoyed meeting the British writer, Charles Dickens.

Andersen died in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1875.