Hans Christian Andersen (Odense, 1805-Copenhagen, 1875) was a Danish writer and poet, famous for his children's stories. He was born into a very poor family that, on the contrary, encouraged the imagination that would characterize his literary work. Although he began his studies in the field of music and dance, he would abandon them for writing and his travels. In 1827 he published the poem "The Dying Child" in the literary magazine Kjøbenhavns flyvende Post, the most prestigious of the moment, and in 1835 his first novel, The Improviser, as well as the first two editions of Adventure Stories for Children. In 1838 he was already a recognized writer, especially for his children's stories, which earned him multiple awards: in 1866 the King of Denmark granted him the honorary title of Councilor of State and a year later he was named an illustrious citizen of Odense, his hometown . He died at the age of seventy, on August 4, 1875. In his honor, the Hans Christian Andersen Prize for Children's Literature has been awarded biannually since 1956 and, since 1966, also a prize for illustration.