Edward Lear

I’ve always been quite a fan of Edward Lear without ever reading the Owl and the Pussycat. I love nonsense in poetry and any poet that can make me laugh is alright by me.

How pleasant to know Mr Lear!
Who has written such volumes of stuff !
Some think him ill-tempered and queer,
But a few think him pleasant enough.

But one thing I didn’t know was that before his writing fame he was a scientific artist, and a pretty good one!

Edward Lear and the Scientists can be seen at the Royal Society, London, until 26 October 2012. Admission free.

"Parrot"

"Owl"

"Marmot"