Hans Christian Andersen (pronounced [ˈhanˀs ˈkʰʁæʂd̥jan ˈɑnɐsn̩] in Danish), also known as simply H. C. Andersen [hɔse ˈɑnɐsn̩]); (April 2, 1805 – August 4, 1875) was a Danish author and poet, most famous for his fairy tales. Among his best-known stories are "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Little Mermaid", "Thumbelina", "The Little Match Girl", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Red Shoes".

During Andersen's lifetime he was feted by royalty and acclaimed for having brought great enjoyment to a whole generation of children throughout Europe. His fairy tales have been translated into more than 150 languages and they continue to be published in millions of copies all over the world. His fairy tales have inspired the creation of numerous films, theater plays, ballets and film animations.

Hans Christian Andersen was born in the town of Odense, Denmark, on Tuesday, April 2, 1805. Most English (as well as German and French) sources often refer to his name as "Hans Christian Andersen". However, in Denmark and in the other Nordic countries he is usually known as "H. C.

Andersen". His first name "Hans Christian" consists of two old, traditional Danish names pronounced as a single name. The combination of two individual names being spoken without a pause between the words is uncommon in the Danish language. H.C. Andersen's father was of the belief that he was related to nobility.

According to scholars at the Hans Christian Andersen Center, his paternal grandmother had told his father, that their family in the past had belonged to a higher social class. However, later investigations proved that these stories were unfounded. Their family apparently did have some connections to the Danish royalty, but they were only related to the subject of employment or trade.

Nevertheless, the speculations that Andersen was the illegitimate son of a member of the royal family continues to persist in Denmark today. These speculations have been bolstered by the fact that King Frederick VI took a personal interest in him as a young man. The king had for example paid for a part of Andersen's education.[citation needed] The writer Rolf Dorset insists that not all options have yet been explored in determining Andersen's ancestry.

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