What is Hans Christian Andersen?
{{Infobox Writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox Writer/doc]] --> | name = Hans Christian Andersen | image = HCAndersen.jpeg | birth_date = {{birth date|1805|4|2|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Odense]], [[Denmark]] | death_date = {{death date and age|1875|8|4|1805|4|2|df=y}} | death_place = [[Copenhagen]], Denmark | occupation = Writer | nationality = [[Denmark|Danish]] | genre = [[Romanticism]]<br />[[Fairy tales]]<br />[[children's literature]] }} '''Hans Christian Andersen''' (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a [[Danes|Danish]] [[writer]]. Andersen was born in [[Odense]], [[Denmark]]. His father was a shoemaker, and his mother washed clothes for customers. The family was poor. When Andersen was 11, his father died. At 14, Andersen left his mother and his home. He moved to [[Copenhagen]]. The king helped Andersen finish his education. Andersen wanted to be an actor or dancer. He did not have the talent for either. He started to write [[novel]]s, [[play]]s, [[poem]]s, [[short story|short storie]]s, and travel books. In 1835, he published four [[fairy tale]]s that were liked by the readers. After this success, he wanted to write more fairy tales. Andersen's stories were popular all over [[Europe]]. He was invited into the homes of rich and powerful people. He fell in love with several men and women. He was in [[love]] with singer [[Jenny Lind]]. He [[bisexuality|also]] fell in love with [[ballet]] [[dancer]] [[Harald Scharff]]. Andersen was a happy and carefree man. He travelled all over Europe. He wanted to see the sights. He hoped travelling would make him even happier. He always carried a rope with him. He planned to use this rope as a fire escape if needed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.copenhagenet.dk/cph-hca2005.htm |title=Hans Christian Andersen |access-date=2014-09-22 |archive-date=2014-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926231608/http://copenhagenet.dk/CPH-HCA2005.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the spring of 1872, Andersen fell off of his bed and suffered major in