Lear, Edward (1812-1888), an English writer and artist, became famous for his humorous poems for children. His first book of poems, A Book of Nonsense (1846), is a masterpiece of children’s literature. His best-known poem, “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” (1871), is also a classic. Lear became noted for his short rhymed verses called limericks. For an example, see Limerick.
Loading the player...Limerick by Edward Lear
Lear was born in London on May 12, 1812. He began to earn his living at the age of 15 by drawing birds and doing other artwork. Lear established a reputation as a natural-history artist with his first book of drawings of parrots, published in 1832. He also became known for his detailed landscape paintings. In the mid-1830’s, Lear began to write nonsense verse for children. However, none of his verses was published until 1846. Lear also drew many illustrations for his books. He died on Jan. 29, 1888.
See also Owl and the Pussy-Cat, The.
