Hans Christian Andersen born 2 April 1805 (d. 1875)The son of a poor shoemaker and an illiterate laundry woman (I'm not making this up), Hans Christan Andersen was an ill-educated and eccentric boy who arrived penniless aged fourteen in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen. Odd as he was, he managed to charm the wealthy locals into sponsoring his education and on his graduation from high school in 1828 published his first novel in 1829. More novels, dramas, poetry, travel books and autobiographies followed - he was Denmark's leading man of letters. In 1837, he began writing the fairy tales for which is now known and loved , and famous then. He travelled extensively throughout Europe, and was a hit in England although he drove his host, Charles Dickens mad with his fussy, effeminate ways.
Hans Christian Anderson was likely bisexual and probably remained celibate for his whole life, but he certainly indulged in many romantic relationships and much letter writing with young men, and some of the tales are alleged to be autobiographical. Certainly The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and other tales of impossible loves and poor self-image have resonated with gay readers through the ages. The Danny Kaye film doesn't help either. There has been much controversy in Denmark at suggestions that Hans was as big a fairy as his tales.
He died in 1875 leaving private journals detailing his refusal to have 'sexual relations' and his enthusiam for masturbation, perhaps giving new meaning to Thumbelina...