Hans Christian Andersen

Born in Denmark in 1805, Hans Christian Andersen practically invented the writing of fairy tales called eventyrs; the adventure fairy tale or fantastic tale. Although he wrote a broad range of work, including plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, it was his fairy tales that became culturally iconic in the Western world. His tales transcend age barriers and nattional boundaries; they are enjoyed by readers young and old and have been translated into more than 125 languages.

His stories have inspired countless plays, ballets, and movies. Who hasn't read or seen an animated movie adaptation of Thumbelina (1835), The Emperor's New Clothes (1837), The Little Mermaid (1836), and The Princess and the Pea (1835?)

Andersen also blessed us with one of the saddest but most poignant and beautiful Christmas stories of all time, The Little Match Girl (also known as The Little Matchstick Girl).