The True Story of My Life

Hans Christian Andersen's autobiography, originally published in 1847 and translated into English by Mary Howitt, tells the remarkable story of a shoemaker's son from Odense who rose to become one of the world's most beloved storytellers. Dedicated to Jenny Lind, "the Swedish Nightingale," this candid memoir traces Andersen's childhood poverty, his struggles as a young artist in Copenhagen, and his eventual triumph as an internationally celebrated author.

No literary labor is more delightful to me than translating the beautiful thoughts and fancies of Hans Christian Andersen. My heart is in the work, and I feel as if my spirit were kindred to his; just as our Saxon English seems to me eminently fitted to give the simple, pure, and noble sentiments of the Danish mind.

This True Story of his Life will not be found the least interesting of his writings; indeed, to me it seems one of the most so. It furnishes the key, as it were, to all the rest; and the treasures which it unlocks will be found to be possessed of additional value when viewed through the medium of this introduction. It is gratifying for me to be able to state that the original Author has a personal interest in this English version of his "Life," as I have arranged with my publishers to pay Mr. Andersen a certain sum on the publication of this translation, and the same on all future editions.

The Elms, Clapton, June 26.

In eight chapters, Andersen recounts his journey from humble origins through schoolboy humiliations, early literary failures, and extensive European travels to the heights of literary fame — always with the same storytelling gift that made his fairy tales immortal.