Born in 1850 in Ooknse, Denmark, Hans wrote his way into being Denmark's favorite author. He wrote 156 fairy tales before his death in 1875.  Hans Christian Anderson's most famous books and fairy tales consist of "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling"," The Little Tin Soldier", "Gulliver's Travels", "The Tender Box",  "Big Clause and Little Clause", "She Was Good For Nothing", "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Rags", "The Shadow", and "The Story of Mother".