Edward Lear was an English artist, illustrator, and writer best known for his nonsense poetry and limericks. Born in Holloway, London, Lear was the 20th child of a family of 21 children. He started drawing at a young age and was employed as an illustrator by the age of 16. Lear is known for his illustrations of birds, including the parrots he owned as pets, as well as landscapes, and his nonsense drawings, which often featured anthropomorphized animals. Lear's literary career began with his publication of "A Book of Nonsense" in 1846, which included his most famous poem "The Owl and the Pussycat". He went on to publish several more books of poetry and prose, including "Nonsense Songs and Stories", "Laughable Lyrics", and "More Nonsense Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc." Lear's poetry and drawings influenced the development of nonsense literature and inspired writers such as Lewis Carroll. In addition to his artistic and literary pursuits, Lear also worked as a travel writer and illustrator, documenting his journeys to Greece, Egypt, and India. He suffered from health problems throughout his life and died at the age of 75 in San Remo, Italy. Despite the challenges he faced, Lear's legacy lives on through his art and his contributions to the world of literature.