The Tinder Box

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author and poet, most famous for his fairy tales. Most English (as well as German and French) sources use the name "Hans Christian Andersen", but in Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia he is usually referred to as merely "H. C. Andersen. " During Andersen's lifetime he was feted by royalty and acclaimed as having brought joy to children across Europe. His fairy tales have been translated into over 150 languages and continue to be published in "millions of copies all over the world". In 1829, Andersen enjoyed a considerable success with a short story entitled A Journey on Foot from Holmen's Canal to the East Point of Amager. During the same season, he published both a farce and a collection of poems. Among his best-known stories are: The Emperor's New Clothes (1837), The Snow Queen (1844), The Ugly Duckling (1844) and The Little Mermaid (1848).