Introduction to the Edward Lear exhibition (3 mins).
Edward Lear (1812-1888) is best known for his nonsense poetry, including The Owl and the Pussycat, but he began his career as a scientific illustrator. He used his considerable artistic talent to illustrate the works of ten Fellows of the Royal Society, including William Buckland, Thomas Bell, John Gould, and William Jardine.
This collection of images showcases some of the illustrations that Lear produced. Click on the images below to see larger versions.
Licenses to reproduce these images may be purchased from our picture library.