Edward Lear

Writer

Born

May 12, 1812 · Holloway, Middlesex, England

Died

January 29, 1888

Edward Lear was an English artist, poet, musician and humorist best known for writing the children's poem, "The Owl and the Pussycat." Lear published "A Book of Nonsense" in 1846, which greatly helped to popularize the limerick. As an artist, he produced scientific illustrations of birds and other wildlife. He also composed twelve musical settings of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poetry.