Literary nonsense in poetry and prose and especially his limericks. Absurd wit.

Although the subject and form of his works varies greatly, all of Lear’s poems can be characterized by his irreverent view of the world; Lear poked fun at everything. Many critics view Lear’s devotion to the ridiculous as a method for dealing with or undermining the all-pervasive orderliness and industriousness of Victorian society.

Edward Lear was born in London, the 20th child of a stockbroker.  His father alleged that the family was of Danish origin but records have been traced to Dorset from the 17th century. He had an unhappy childhood as neither parent had much time or energy to spare.He was closer to his sister Ann, who became a substitute mother and taught him to draw. From early childhood, he suffered from depression and by the age of six, he was having epileptic fits, an illness he did his best to conceal.  He started writing poetry to amuse the family of one of his sisters and in his late teens embarked on a career as an artist - producing a book of picture for the Z