Edward Lear, born
1812 was a famous
English humorist and artist, although he began his career at age 19 as a
draftsman for the
London Zoological Society. The paintings of
birds he produced in
1832 were among the first colour plates of animals ever published in
Great Britain.
While working as draftsman, Lear was noticed by Lord Stanley. Impressed by his talent, Stanley commissioned him to draw the animals in his private menagerie. Lear spent five years as part of the household, the head of which was Stanley's father, the 13th Earl of Derby; it was here that Lear began writing and illustrating nonsense rhymes and limericks for the Earl's grandchildren.
In 1846 Lear published "A Book of Nonsense" under a pseudonym: his own name appeared only on the third edition in 1861.
Lear travelled widely, and spent time in Sicily, the Sinai Desert, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Malta, Corsica and Corfu. He eventually settled at San Remo, Italy, where he lived until his death in 1888.