Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm were born in the late 18th century in Hanau, Germany. They faced hardship early in life when their father passed away, forcing them to take responsibility for their family. Both brothers pursued law at the University of Marburg, where they developed a passion for German folklore, sparking their lifelong dedication to preserving oral traditions. The Grimms gained recognition through their Children's and Household Tales, first published in 1812, which became one of the most influential collections of folk tales. They saw these stories as reflections of Germany's national identity. The brothers meticulously revised and expanded their collection, while also pursuing research in linguistics and Germanic philology, contributing significantly to folklore studies. In their later years, the brothers worked on their monumental German Dictionary, though neither lived to complete it. Wilhelm died in 1859, followed by Jakob in 1863. Their legacy endures, with their tales translated into numerous languages and adapted into countless cultural works, preserving their influence in literature and storytelling worldwide.
