Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875) is best known for writing children's stories such as The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor's New Clothes, Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid but he also wrote plays, travelogues, novels and poems.
In 1847 he visited England for the first time and met the famous author Charles Dickens at a party which was held by the Countess of Blessington.
Ten years later, he visited England again and stayed at the Dickens' household for 'A brief visit.' After five weeks, he was told to leave and Dickens eventually stopped all correspondence with Mr. Anderson.
In 1872, he fell out of bed and was seriously injured. He never fully recovered and was diagnosed with liver cancer very soon after his fall.
Shortly before his death in 1875, he consulted a composer about the music for his funeral, saying: "Most of the people who will walk after me will be children, so make the beat keep time with little steps."