ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN, one of the most gifted poets that Denmark has recently produced, was b. April 2, 1805, at Odense in Funen. His father was a poor shoemaker, who used, however, to console himself by speaking of the former prosperity and wealth of his family. After his father's death, he was for a short time employed in a manufac tory. The widow of Bunketiod, a poet of some reputation, charitably adopted him. Ire early displayed a talent for poetry, and was known in his native place as "the comedy writer." Hoping to obtain an engagement in the theater, he went to Copenhagen, but was rejected because he was too lean. He was next encouraged to hope for success as a singer; but had hardly commenced his musical studies when his voice failed. He found gen erous friends, however, to help him in his distress; and application having been made by one of them to the king, he was placed at an advanced school at the public expense, and so began his academic education in 1828. Some of his poems, particularly one entitled The Dying Child, had already been favorably received, and he now became better known by the publication of his Walk to Jima, a literary satire in the form of a humorous narra tive. In 1830, he published the first collected volume of his Poems, and in 1831 a second, under the title of Fantasies and Sketches. His Traveling Sketches were the fruit of a tour in the north of Germany. He completed his Agnes and the Merman in Switzerland; and one of his best works, The Improvisatore, a series of scenes depicted in a glowing style, and full of poetic interest, was the fruit of a visit to Italy. Soon afterwards, he produced
O. 71 (1835), a novel containing vivid pictures of northern scenery and manners, which was followed (1837) by another, entitled Only a Fiddler. In 1840, he produced a roman tic drama, entitled The Mulatto, which was well received; but another drama, Raphaella, was less successful. In the same year appeared his Picture-book without Piet-arcs, a series of the finest imaginative sketches. In the end of 1840, he commenced a somewhat lengthened tour in Italy and the east, of which he gave an account in A Poet's Bazaar (1842). in 1844, A. visited the court of Denmark by special invitation, and in the fol lowing year he received an annuity. After that date lie traveled much, visiting England as well as other countries. Among other works of A. are Tales from Jutland (1859); The Sandhills of Jutland (1860); Tales for Children (1861); The Wild Swans, and The Ire Maiden (1863); The Story of my Lfe; Ahasuerus, a drama; and New Tales and Adven tures (1872). His works have been translated into German, English, etc. Ills Dying Child has been translated into the language of Greenland; and on his 70th birthday he was presented with a book containing one of his tales in 15 languages. On the same occasion the king of Denmark gave him the grand cross of the Dannehrog order. A. died in Aug., 1875. He is best known in Britain by his beautiful fairy tales.