Edward Lear example essay topic

On May 12 1812 Edward Lear was born in Highgate London. Edward was the twentieth child of Jeremiah Lear, a London stockbroker, and his wife Ann. Four years after his birth, Jeremiah lost most of the family's earnings and riches in the Stock Exchange, therefore forcing them to leave the fashionable life to which they grew accustomed too. From there, Edwards's mother rejected him, and his upbringing was in the hands of his oldest sister Ann.

Young Edward certainly resented his mother's rejection, but found all the love he needed in Ann. Edward suffered from attacks of what he called "The Demon", epilepsy as well as asthma, bronchitis and poor eyesight. When he was five or six, sudden mood swings as well as depression started to begin. Other than Edwards's school education, his sister constantly read classical tales and modern poetry to him as well as taught him to draw. By the age of fifteen Lear's father retired and could not provide for his children, Edward, who was still living with Ann, was forced to get a job.

He made money from drawing and painting as well as teaching drawing and selling sketches. Edward also worked as a draughtsman for the Zoological Society when he illustrated a book about parrots. Edward created a name for himself as an "Ornithological Draughtsman" and is also nominated as an "Associate of the Linen Society". In 1832, Earl of Derby commissioned him to create a collection of drawings of rare birds. This allowed Edward to travel widely in Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, creating collections of oil paintings and drawings which he later published in travel books known as, "Sketches of Rome" (1842) and "Illustrated Excursion in Italy" (1846). In 1835 Edward traveled to Ireland with Edward Stanley (Bishop of Norwich) and his son Arthur Stanley.

In is in here in Ireland that Edwards's interest turns to landscape painting. Upon his return, Edwards health started to deteriorate and the Earl of Derby arranged to pay for a trip to Rome for him. He then lived in Rome for ten years occasionally visiting London, supporting himself by selling paintings and teaching drawing. The state of Italy then became very unsettled and therefore Lear leaves Rome and sets out traveling. In 1846 Edward Lear finally published his first pieces of writing, in the first edition of "a Book of Nonsense", a children's book that he published anonymously, because it was the standard at the time for children's books to be published like so.

Later in 1854, Edward published his second edition of "a Book of Nonsense", which was also done anonymously. And finally in 1861, Lear publishes his third and final edition of "a Book of Nonsense", which his name finally appeared in it. Lear's famous writing (the three editions of "a Book of Nonsense") was that of random childish humor. With most if not every poem having a picture by it helping to better understand the poem. On January 29 1888, in San Remo, due to a severe case of bronchitis, Edward Lear died.

Lear was one of the first poets to write and draw as he did, one of the first to publish books for children. Thus being a very important mark in the history of literature, opening up new ways of writing poetry. And if not for him poets such as the famous Shell Silverstein, and Dr. Seuss might have never come about and positively impact children's life's as they did. Much of the poet's influences came in his early years with his sister constantly reading poetry to him as well as drawing with him.

He was also greatly influenced and depicted most of his ideas from all the traveling he did through out the world as well as the new people he met. The 19th century was a time of new ideas. From Thomas de Colmar creating the first calculator, to Alexander Graham Bell inventing the first telephone. And from the Erie Canal built, to the civil war, and also the original Ku Klux Klan organized.

Once again the 1800's where that of important ideas and people coming about, which is why Edward Lear greatly fit into the 19th century. My personal feel of the poets work is that it is superb, making children want to read and educate themselves as well as have fun at the same time. And also all the new doors the Lear opened. I truly respect him for having such an original idea as well doing so much for children. Once again I find his work his work to be brilliant and masterful. Edward Lear is one of the most talented and brilliant poets to come about, and with out him many of the famous poets, writers, artists etc. might had never exist.

Bibliography

web web web web Encyclopedia Britannica Edward Lear: the life of a wanderer, Fontana, 1992, New York.