Edward Lear

Born in London in 1812, Edward Lear is best known for poems such as The Owl and the Pussycat and limericks that appeared in the famous ‘Nonsense Books’. He was also a prolific draughtsman and painter and from 1836, he spent much time travelling and living abroad, producing thousands of artworks. He is acknowledged as one of the best topographical draughtsmen of the nineteenth century. Lear went to Ireland in August 1835, with his friend Arthur Stanley (later Dean of Westminster), for the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. After the meeting finished, Lear made a walking tour through Wicklow, sketching as he went.