Which Danish king awarded Hans Christian Andersen a travel grant in 1833?

King Frederick VI awarded Hans Christian Andersen a travel grant in 1833.

The grant helped Andersen travel outside Denmark and develop his literary career. At the time, he was a young writer from Odense who had already moved to Copenhagen hoping to work in the theatre and literature.

Andersen used the support for a journey through Europe, including visits to Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. Travel became an important part of his life and writing; impressions from foreign places appear throughout his novels, travel books and fairy tales.

Frederick VI was king of Denmark from 1808 until his death in 1839. Andersen later became one of Denmark’s most internationally recognized authors, but his early progress depended partly on financial assistance from patrons and the royal court. The grant should not be confused with Andersen’s later support from Jonas Collin, a prominent Danish official who also helped guide his education and career.