Hans Christian Anderson was born in Odese, Denmark the year 2005 will mark his 200th birthday. His father made shoes and his mother was a washer women for the wealthy people.

In his fairy tales you will find lots of themes showing the differences between the poor and the rich. You will also find the occasional shoemaker.

Even as a kid he always loved the arts, and he left home when he was fourteen to make his fortune. He was an artist, a singer and an actor but he was not a success at the star. He grew even poorer and almost died of hunger. He received some money and could afford to continue his education thanks to the person who supported the arts, the director of the royal theater.

He went to the university in Copenhagen and began his writing. He was first known as poet, and his poems won him many patrons and they paid his way to travel throughout Europe.

His first book of fairytales was published in the year 1835. The book was a success and he followed it with many other volumes of children's stories.

To learn more about Hans Christian Anderson visit the following sites:
http://www.fisher.k12.il.us/denmark/Tara.htm
http://www.andersenfairytales.com/en/about.php