Edward Lear ​is best known for his humorous poems and nonsensical writings. He was also a talented artist, musician, and traveler. Born in 1812 in England, Lear became one of the most beloved writers of light verse in the English language. His work is playful and creative, and it continues to entertain readers of all ages. Many people know his famous poem “The Owl and the Pussycat,” but fewer people know the full scope of his work. One question that often arises is simple but interesting: how many books did Edward Lear write?

To answer this question, we must look at Lear's life and career. His writings span several decades, and his books cover a variety of forms. Some include drawings. Others feature only poems. A few are collections of travel journals or nonsense alphabets. Edward Lear was a man of many talents, and his books reflect his varied interests.

In this article, we will explore the number of books he wrote, what kinds of books they were, and how they contributed to his legacy. The answer is not just about counting titles. It is about understanding the creative journey of a truly unique mind.

Edward Lear's Early Life and Career

Edward Lear was born in London, the 20th child of 21 children. His family faced financial troubles, and Lear had to work at a young age. He showed talent in drawing, especially birds and animals. By the time he was a teenager, he was already working as an illustrator for scientific publications. His drawings of parrots and other birds gained attention for their detail and beauty.

His early books were not poetry or nonsense. They were scientific in nature. In 1832, he published a book titled Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots. This was a serious work. It featured hand-colored drawings and descriptions of parrots. Though this book was not humorous, it shows Lear’s skill as an artist and writer.

The Birth of Nonsense

Lear’s nonsense writing began as a pastime. He often wrote humorous poems and rhymes to amuse children and friends. Over time, he began to take these verses more seriously. In 1846, he published A Book of Nonsense. This was his first collection of limericks, those five-line poems with a fixed rhythm and rhyme scheme. The book featured both poems and illustrations.

A Book of Nonsense was a great success. It was reprinted many times and helped make Lear famous. It was also the first of several nonsense books he would create. The limericks, drawings, and wordplay in this book showed a new side of Edward Lear. He was not just a scientific illustrator; he was also a master of playful language.

The Nonsense Books

So, how many books did Edward Lear write in the nonsense tradition? The number is usually counted as around six major works, though it depends on how one defines a “book.” These include:

A Book of Nonsense (1846)
This was Lear’s first and most famous nonsense book. It contained limericks and drawings and set the tone for his later work.

Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets (1871)
This book featured some of his most well-known poems, including “The Owl and the Pussycat.” It also included imaginary plants and nonsense alphabets.

More Nonsense, Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc. (1872)
A follow-up to his earlier nonsense books, this one added more rhymes, drawings, and whimsical inventions.

Laughable Lyrics (1877)
This book continued the themes of his earlier work. It included new nonsense poems and songs.

Nonsense Alphabets (two volumes, published in 1855 and 1871)
These were originally part of his other collections but were sometimes printed separately. They featured letters of the alphabet with humorous rhymes and illustrations.

The History of the Seven Families of the Lake Pipple-Popple (1865)
This is a longer nonsense story. It features more detailed text and illustrations and follows the journeys of seven families of animals.

If we count these as separate works, then Edward Lear wrote at least six to eight books in the nonsense genre. Some scholars include others, depending on whether the material was new or reused.

Travel Writing and Journals

Lear also wrote books that were not humorous. He traveled widely throughout his life. He visited Italy, Greece, Albania, and India. During his travels, he kept journals and made sketches. He later turned some of these into published works.

Journals of a Landscape Painter in Albania &c (1851) and Journals of a Landscape Painter in Southern Calabria (1852) are examples. These books combine his travel notes with his illustrations. They were praised for their honesty and detail.

These travel books show another side of Edward Lear. He was not only a humorist but also a careful observer of the world. His love for nature and culture is clear in these works. These books may not be as well-known as his nonsense poems, but they played an important role in his career.

Illustrations and Other Works

In addition to books he wrote himself, Edward Lear also illustrated books by other authors. He created drawings for Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poems, although these were not always published. His art was respected during his lifetime, and he considered himself more of a painter than a poet.

Lear also worked on many unpublished pieces. He left behind poems, drawings, and stories that were found after his death. Some of these were collected and published later by editors and scholars. This means that the number of books attributed to him can grow, depending on what is included.

Final Count and Legacy

So, how many books did Edward Lear write? If we count only the books he published during his lifetime with his own text, the number stands at around fifteen. These include nonsense collections, travel books, and scientific illustrations. If we include posthumous collections and illustrated works, the number grows slightly higher.

The important point is not the number, but the range. Edward Lear wrote books that made people laugh, think, and dream. His nonsense poems continue to charm readers more than a century later. His travel books give insight into the lands he visited. His scientific drawings still appear in natural history references.

Edward Lear had a unique gift. He saw the world with both seriousness and play. He could draw a bird with scientific accuracy, and then create a limerick about a man with a nose so long he tied it in a bow. His books reflect this rare balance. They show a man of skill, humor, and imagination.

Conclusion: A Legacy in Many Forms

Edward Lear wrote many books, but more importantly, he gave us many forms of delight. From scientific studies to nonsense verses, from travel journals to comic alphabets, his work covers a wide field. His writing is simple in form, yet rich in feeling. His humor is gentle but lasting. He reminds us that literature can be both wise and silly, both careful and free.

Today, children still laugh at his rhymes. Scholars still study his drawings. And readers still ask, with curiosity and joy: how many books did Edward Lear write? The answer is many—and each one is full of wonder.