H. C. Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) transformed the fairy tale into original literary art. ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Snow Queen’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ and ‘The Little Match Girl’ are known across the globe, blending wonder, pathos and moral depth. His invented tales, as opposed to collected folklore, helped define modern fantasy for children and adults alike.