About
Edward Lear, born in Highgate, London, in 1812, was a self-taught artist and writer. At 19, he published 'Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots', the first major ornithological work drawn from live birds. He lived at Knowsley Hall, illustrating the Earl of Derby's menagerie, and wrote 'A Book of Nonsense' (1846) for the Earl's grandchildren, which popularized the limerick. His best-known poem, 'The Owl and the Pussy-cat', appeared in 1871. After his eyesight declined, he became a landscape painter, traveled extensively in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India, and published seven illustrated travel books. He settled in San Remo, where he died in 1888. His nonsense verse influenced Lewis Carroll and the Surrealists.
* 1812-05-12 — † 1888-01-28
Major works
- Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots (1830)illustrated book
- A Book of Nonsense (1846)collection of limericks
- Journals of a Landscape Painter in Albania (1851)illustrated travel book
- Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets (1871)collection of poems and stories
Key milestones
- 1830Publishes 'Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae', the first major ornithological work drawn from live birds.
- 1846Publishes 'A Book of Nonsense', which popularizes the limerick.
- 1888Dies in San Remo, Italy.
Themes
NonsenseTravelNatureChildhoodLandscape
Sources: britannica.com · npg.org.uk · poets.org