Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen, (April 2 1805 - August 4 1875) was a Danish author and poet most famous for his fairy tales.

Naming conventions

Most English (as well as German and French) sources use the name "Hans Christian Andersen", but in Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia he is usually referred to as merely "H. C. Andersen" (pronounced as Ho Say Andersen). His name Hans Christian is a traditional Danish name (and is used as a single name, though originally a combination of two individual names. It is incorrect to use only one of the two parts.) It is an accepted custom in Denmark to use only the initials in this and a few other names (other examples include H.P., short for Hans Peter and J.C. short for Jens Christian). This tradition is as strong as the American "middle initial".

Related Topics:
Denmark - Scandinavia

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