Inventing Edward Lear

**"__Inventing Edward Lear__is an exceptional, valuable, original study, presenting new materials on aspects of Lear's life and work."****--Jenny Uglow, author of__Mr. Lear__and__The Lunar Men__**Edward Lear wrote some of the best-loved poems in English, including "The Owl and the Pussycat," but the father of nonsense was far more than a poet. He was a naturalist, a brilliant landscape painter, an experimental travel writer, and an accomplished composer. Sara Lodge presents the fullest account yet of Lear's passionate engagement in the intellectual, social, and cultural life of his times.Lear had a difficult start in life. He was epileptic, asthmatic, and depressive, but even as a child a consummate performer who projected himself into others' affections. He became, by John James Audubon's estimate, one of the greatest ornithological artists of the age. Queen Victoria--an admirer--chose him to be her painting teacher. He popularized the limerick, set Tennyson's verse to music, and opened fresh doors for children and adults to share fantasies of magical escape. Lodge draws on diaries, letters, and new archival sources to paint a vivid picture of Lear that explores his musical influences, his religious nonconformity, his relationship with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and the connections between his scientific and artistic work. He invented himself as a character: awkward but funny, absurdly sympathetic. In Lodge's hands, Lear emerges as a dynamic and irreverent polymath whose conversation continues to draw us in.__Inventing Edward Lear__is an original and moving account of one of the most intriguing and creative of all Victorians. An Original And Lively Account Of One Of The Most Influential Figures Of The Victorian Age. Edward Lear Wrote Some Of The Best-loved Poems In English, Including The Owl And The Pussycat, But The Father Of Nonsense Was Far More Than A Poet. He Was A Naturalist, A Brilliant Landscape Painter, An Experimental Travel Writer, And An Accomplished Composer. Sara Lodge Presents The Fullest Account Yet Of Lear's Passionate Engagement In The Intellectual, Social, And Cultural Life Of His Times. Lear Had A Difficult Start In Life. He Was Epileptic, Asthmatic, And Depressive, But Even As A Child A Consummate Performer Who Projected Himself Into Others' Affections. He Became, By John James Audubon's Estimate, One Of The Greatest Ornithological Artists Of The Age. Queen Victoria--an Admirer--chose Him To Be Her Painting Teacher. He Popularized The Limerick, Set Tennyson's Verse To Music, And Opened Fresh Doors For Children And Adults To Share Fantasies Of Magical Escape. Lodge Draws On Diaries, Letters, And New Archival Sources To Paint A Vivid Picture Of Lear That Explores His Musical Influences, His Religious Nonconformity, His Relationship With The Pre-raphaelite Movement, And The Connections Between His Scientific And Artistic Work. He Invented Himself As A Character: Awkward But Funny, Absurdly Sympathetic. In Lodge's Hands, Lear Emerges As A Dynamic And Irreverent Polymath Whose Conversation Continues To Draw Us In. Inventing Edward Lear Is An Original And Moving Account Of One Of The Most Intriguing And Creative Of All Victorians.--provided By Publsher. Returning To Lear: Music And Memory -- Nonsense And Nonconformity -- Queer Beasts -- Dreamwork: Lear's Visual Language -- Inventing Edward Lear. Sara Lodge. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. " Inventing Edward Lear is an exceptional, valuable, original study, presenting new materials on aspects of Lear's life and work." --Jenny Uglow, author of Mr. Lear and The Lunar Men Edward Lear wrote some of the best-loved poems in English, including "The Owl and the Pussycat," but the father of nonsense was far more than a poet. He was a naturalist, a brilliant landscape painter, an experimental travel writer, and an accomplished composer. Sara Lodge presents the fullest account yet of Lear's passionate engagement in the intellectual, social, and cultural life of his times. Lear had a difficult start in life. He was epileptic, asthmatic, and depressive, but even as a child a consummate performer who projected himself into others' affections. He became, by John James Audubon's estimate, one of the greatest ornithological artists of the age. Queen Victoria--an admirer--chose him to be her painting teacher. He popularized the limerick, set Tennyson's verse to music, and opened fresh doors for children and adults to share fantasies of magical escape. Lodge draws on diaries, letters, and new archival sources to paint a vivid picture of Lear that explores his musical influences, his religious nonconformity, his relationship with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and the connections between his scientific and artistic work. He invented himself as a character: awkward but funny, absurdly sympathetic. In Lodge's hands, Lear emerges as a dynamic and irreverent polymath whose conversation continues to draw us in. Inventing Edward Lear is an original and moving account of one of the most intriguing and creative of all Victorians. "Inventing Edward Lea ris an exceptional, valuable, original study, presenting new materials on aspects of Lear's life and work."--Jenny Uglow, author of Mr. Lear andThe Lunar MenEdward Lear wrote some of the best-loved poems in English, including "The Owl and the Pussycat," but the father of nonsense was far more than a poet. He was a naturalist, a brilliant landscape painter, an experimental travel writer, and an accomplished composer. Sara Lodge presents the fullest account yet of Lear's passionate engagement in the intellectual, social, and cultural life of his times.Lear had a difficult start in life. He was epileptic, asthmatic, and depressive, but even as a child a consummate performer who projected himself into others' affections. He became, by John James Audubon's estimate, one of the greatest ornithological artists of the age. Queen Victoria--an admirer--chose him to be her painting teacher. He popularized the limerick, set Tennyson's verse to music, and opened fresh doors for children and adults to share fantasies of magical escape. Lodge draws on diaries, letters, and new archival sources to paint a vivid picture of Lear that explores his musical influences, his religious nonconformity, his relationship with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and the connections between his scientific and artistic work. He invented himself as a character: awkward but funny, absurdly sympathetic. In Lodge's hands, Lear emerges as a dynamic and irreverent polymath whose conversation continues to draw us in.Inventing Edward Learis an original and moving account of one of the most intriguing and creative of all Victorians. Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 A Note on the Music 10 Introduction 14 1. Returning to Lear: Music and Memory 33 2. Nonsense and Nonconformity 101 3. Queer Beasts 154 4. Dreamwork: Lear’s Visual Language 230 5. Inventing Edward Lear 306 List of Illustrations 382 List of Abbreviations 394 Notes 396 Acknowledgements 438 Index 442 Color Plates 450 Edward Lear-the father of nonsense-wrote some of the best-loved poems in English. He was also admired as a naturalist, landscape painter, travel writer, and composer. Awkward but funny, absurdly sympathetic, Lear invented himself as a Victorian character. Sara Lodge offers a moving account of one of the era's most influential creative figures.