Edward Lear Biography

English Children's Author and Artist, Famous for A Book of Nonsense

Oct 10, 2009 Tel Asiado

Brief biography of children's writer and artist Edward Lear, best known for his limericks, laughable lyrics and poetry like The Owl and the Pussycat.

An artist, poet and story teller, Edward Lear is best remembered for his so-called nonsense poetry and A Book of Nonsense, which includes famous verses such as "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "The Jumblies."

Early Life of Edward Lear in a Nutshell

Lear was born on May 12, 1812 in London. He was the son of a stockbroker, his parents' 20th child, though many of his brothers and sisters did not survive. Largely ignored by his mother, he was educated by his eldest sister. Lear suffered from poor health and epilepsy, though he lived until the age of 75.

Early on in life, he showed a talent for drawing and from the age of 15, he began working as an illustrator. When he was 20, his book of drawings containing birds attracted the attention of the Earl of Derby, a wealthy aristocrat who wanted an artist to draw his collection of rare animals.

Edward Lear as an Artist and Poet

Lear lived on the earl's estate for five years. While there, he made up amusing nonsense poems for the earl's children. He published this under the pen name Derry down Derry, along with his own cartoon illustrations, in A Book of Nonsense, which became extremely popular with children and adults.

Health Intervened and Poetry Prevailed

Lear's poor health forced him to leave England for the warmer climate of Italy when he was 25. The support and contacts he made through the Earl of Derby enabled him to travel extensively and restlessly around Europe, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. He wanted to be a serious painter and did not publish any more of his nonsense verse for 14 years.

Surprised at the popularity of his new verses, he published longer poems in Nonsense Songs, including "The Owl and the Pussycat" and "The Jumblies." His last collection of verse, Laughable Lyrics, he includes inspired poems such as "The Dong with the Luminous Nose," which gives a hint at the loneliness of his wandering life.

An Insight to Lear and his Work

Edward Lear died on January 29, 1888, aged 75. Famous for his limericks, his brand of nonsense rhyme is often compared to that of his younger contemporary, Lewis Carroll's. Lear's work has less logic (as he calls it "nonsense".) He was a good friend of Lord Alfred Tennyson.

An Edward Lear Quote: "He weeps by the side of the ocean, He weeps on the top of the hill; / He purchases pancakes and lotion, And chocolate shrimps from the mill." ~Edward Lear in How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!

Works by Edward Lear

• A Book of Nonsense, 1845-1846
• Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets, 1870-1871
• More Nonsense, Pictures, Rhymes, Botany etc. 1871-1872
• Laughable Lyrics, 1877
• Queery Leary Nonsense, 1911

Sources:

• McGovern, Una, Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 2002.
• Ousby, Ian. The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
• Payne, Tom. The A-Z of Great Writers. London: Carlton, 1997.

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Edward Lear, English Children's Writer

Edward Lear's A Book of Nonsense