Which Danish order did Hans Christian Andersen receive in 1855?

Hans Christian Andersen received the Order of the Dannebrog in 1855. The Danish order recognized his contribution to literature during his lifetime.

The Order of the Dannebrog is one of Denmark’s two royal orders. It was founded by King Christian V in 1671 and is awarded for meritorious service to the Danish state and society. Andersen’s honor reflected the growing national and international esteem for his writing.

Andersen was not born into Denmark’s elite. He came from a poor family in Odense and moved to Copenhagen at the age of 14. Royal support and educational assistance helped him continue his studies, while his novels and fairy tales eventually made him internationally famous.

The order is sometimes confused with the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s higher-ranking and more prestigious order. Andersen is associated with the Dannebrog, not the Elephant. His honors illustrate how far his career progressed from his difficult childhood.