While there are many versions of the story, none of them have a clearly identified author. The tale likely originated as an oral tradition, passed down through generations before being written down.
The first published version of the story appeared in 1837 in a collection of fairy tales called "Household Stories by the Brothers Grimm". However, the Grimm brothers did not claim authorship of the story.
The most common version of the story today is based on the 1857 version written by Robert Southey, a British poet and author. His version is the one most widely read and adapted.