Category Archives: Edward Lear

Utter Nonsense A nice general introduction to Lear for the Brazilian edition of Speak Up, a magazine for foreign students of English.

The height of nonsense In 1886, the redoubtable Victorian critic John Ruskin was invited by the Pall Mall Gazette of London to draw up a “List of the Best Hundred Authors.” His top choice wasn’t quite what the Gazette’s high-minded … Continue reading →

Edward Lear, by Jackie Wullschlager … His fantastical characters mirror the passage of his own life. The Yonghy Bonghy Bo’s hilarious courtship of Lady Jingly Jones parallels his own failed attempts at proposing to a female friend who might have … Continue reading →

Ridiculous rhymes From the familiar “runcible spoon” and “hills of the Chankly Bore” to previously unpublished letters, this is an irresistible collection of Edward Lear’s poetry, prose and illustrations. Three alphabets introduce even the very youngest listeners or readers to … Continue reading →

Nonsense Songs and Stories by Edward LearNonsense Songs and Stories by Edward Lear, reviewed in the Guardian, July 19 1888.Guardian Unlimited Books | Review

Pea Green Boat “This is my first mid-30s, pretentious one-man show,” says Stewart Lee in an apologetic intro to Pea Green Boat. This isn’t stand-up, he warns, so prepare not to laugh. The preamble promises some daring dramatic experiment. In … Continue reading →

An Edward Lear Society?, An e-mail from Vivien Noakes Dear Learites,Kenneth Oultram, who lives in Cheshire, is hoping to organise an Edward Lear Society, since none exists. He has called an inaugural meeting this Saturday, September 7th, at the Walker … Continue reading →

icLiverpool – The Earl and the Pussycat FANS of limerick-creator Edward Lear have a final chance to view a fascinating exhibition charting his links with a Victorian earl.icLiverpool (30 August 2002)

PO’BMC: Th’impervious horrors of a Lear shore “T’is a truth universally acknowledged that a sea captain in possession of three noisy children is in want of a ship,” said Stephen as he sat in Sir Joseph’s office one morning happily … Continue reading →

The Straight Dope: What’s a runcible spoon? Dear Cecil: What’s a runcible spoon? –Theogr, via AOL Dear Theo: I can’t believe you have to ask this. A runcible spoon is a utensil suitable for runciation. This of course is in … Continue reading →