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Edward Lear Biography

Poet / Humorist

Edward Lear was a highly-regarded nature and landscape artist, but he is much better remembered for the whimsical nonsense poetry and limericks he produced throughout his life. Among his best-known works are The Owl and the Pussycat, The Dong With a Luminous Nose, and The Jumblies.

Extra credit: Lear once gave drawing lessons to Queen Victoria... He is sometimes compared with his fellow nonsense author Lewis Carroll... Lear's former home in London is now the Edward Lear Hotel.

Four Good Links

Edward Lear Home Page

The ultimate Lear web page; grrreat links

Victorian Trickster

Fascinating psychological examination of his verse

Selected Poetry of Edward Lear

A too-brief sampling of his works

Paintings by Edward Lear

The Victorian Web offers a selection of his work

Vital Stats

Birth

12 May 1812

Birthplace

London, England

Death

29 January 1888
(age 75)

Best Known As

The author of The Owl and the Pussycat