# Grimms' fairy tales

> collection of German fairy tales first published 1812–15 by the Grimm brothers

**Wikidata**: [Q163027](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q163027)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimms'_Fairy_Tales)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grimms-fairy-tales

## Summary
*Grimms' Fairy Tales* is a collection of German fairy tales first published between 1812 and 1815 by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. It is a foundational work in folklore and children's literature, compiling and systematizing traditional German oral tales.

## Key Facts
- **Authors**: Jacob Grimm (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), German philologists, folklorists, and cultural researchers.
- **Publication Dates**: First published in 1812–1815, with later editions in 1819 and subsequent revisions.
- **Aliases**: *Children's and Household Tales*, *Grimm Fairy Tales*, *The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm*, *German Popular Stories*, *Kinder- und Hausmärchen*.
- **Classification**: Literary work, folklore, fairy tale collection.
- **Origin**: Germany, a country in Central Europe with historical periods including the Holy Roman Empire (800–1250) and the German Empire (1871–1918).
- **Related Entities**: Includes translations by Lucy Crane (1842–1882), an English writer and art critic.
- **Wikipedia Title**: *Grimms' Fairy Tales*.
- **Wikidata Description**: "Collection of German fairy tales first published 1812–15 by the Grimm brothers."

## FAQs
**What are the Brothers Grimm known for?**
The Brothers Grimm are renowned for compiling and publishing *Grimms' Fairy Tales*, a foundational work in German folklore and children's literature.

**Who were the primary authors of Grimms' Fairy Tales?**
The primary authors were Jacob Grimm (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), German scholars and folklorists.

**When was Grimms' Fairy Tales first published?**
The collection was first published between 1812 and 1815, with later editions in 1819.

**What other names are used for Grimms' Fairy Tales?**
The collection is also known as *Children's and Household Tales*, *Grimm Fairy Tales*, and *The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm*.

**Where did the Brothers Grimm originate from?**
The Brothers Grimm originated from Germany, a country in Central Europe with a rich historical and cultural heritage.

**Who translated Grimms' Fairy Tales into English?**
Lucy Crane (1842–1882), an English writer and art critic, translated the collection into English.

## Why It Matters
*Grimms' Fairy Tales* is a cornerstone of world literature, preserving and systematizing traditional German folklore. It has influenced generations of writers, scholars, and storytellers, shaping the genre of fairy tales and children's literature. The collection's systematic approach to folklore research laid the groundwork for modern ethnography and cultural studies.

## Notable For
- **Foundational Work**: One of the first comprehensive collections of German fairy tales, influencing global storytelling traditions.
- **Systematic Research**: The Grimms' meticulous documentation of oral traditions established methods for folklore study.
- **Cultural Legacy**: The tales have been translated into numerous languages and remain widely read and adapted today.
- **Scholarly Influence**: The collection inspired later scholars, including Lucy Crane, who translated it into English.

## Body
### History
The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, began collecting and publishing German fairy tales in the early 19th century. Their work, *Kinder- und Hausmärchen* (Children's and Household Tales), was first published in two volumes between 1812 and 1815. A third volume was added in 1819, and subsequent editions refined the collection. The Grimms' systematic approach to folklore research was groundbreaking, documenting tales from oral traditions and categorizing them for the first time.

### Authors
**Jacob Grimm** (1785–1863) and **Wilhelm Grimm** (1786–1859) were German scholars and folklorists who collaborated on *Grimms' Fairy Tales*. Jacob, a jurist and linguist, and Wilhelm, a philologist and author, worked together to compile and publish the collection. Their work was supported by their extensive network of informants, including peasants and rural storytellers.

### Translations
The collection has been translated into multiple languages, including English by **Lucy Crane** (1842–1882), an English writer and art critic. Crane's translations helped introduce the tales to a global audience, further cementing their cultural impact.

### Cultural Impact
*Grimms' Fairy Tales* has had a profound influence on literature, children's storytelling, and cultural studies. The tales, such as *Snow White*, *Cinderella*, and *Hansel and Gretel*, are now part of global folklore and have been adapted into countless films, plays, and modern retellings. The Grimms' methods of collecting and analyzing folklore remain influential in ethnographic research.

### Related Entities
- **Germany**: The country of origin, with a history spanning the Holy Roman Empire, the German Empire, and the Weimar Republic.
- **Kingdom of Westphalia**: A former country during Napoleon's era, which influenced the Grimms' cultural and political context.
- **Brothers Grimm**: The collective identity of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, representing their collaborative work in folklore and linguistics.

### Classification
*Grimms' Fairy Tales* is classified as a **literary work**, **folklore**, and **fairy tale collection**. It is a key example of German cultural expression and a foundational text in children's literature. The collection's systematic organization and preservation of oral traditions have made it a model for ethnographic research.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Wikisource
4. [Source](https://www.neh.gov./humanities/2015/marchapril/feature/how-the-grimm-brothers-saved-the-fairy-tale)
5. BBC Things
6. Quora