The Brothers Grimm, Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786-1859), were German linguists, cultural researchers, lexicographers, and authors who are best known for their collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales. Their work has had a lasting impact on both folklore and literature.
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were born in the German town of Hanau, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire at the time. Their father, Philipp Wilhelm Grimm, was a lawyer, and after his death in 1796, the family faced financial difficulties. Both brothers attended the University of Marburg where they studied law, but their interests soon shifted towards literature, history, and philology.
In 1812, the Brothers Grimm published the first volume of "Children's and Household Tales" (Kinder- und Hausmärchen), which later became known as Grimm's Fairy Tales. This collection included stories like "Cinderella," "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," and "Sleeping Beauty." The tales were not entirely original; they were gathered from oral traditions, friends, and acquaintances, but the Brothers Grimm did adapt and edit them:
Jacob Grimm made significant contributions to linguistics:
The Brothers Grimm's work transcended their time: