On this day in literature . . .

~ 1812 ~ Edward Lear, an artist and writer who popularized limericks, is born in Highgate, near London. He is his parents' 20th child. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

In 1871, his most famous work, "The Owl and the Pussycat," was published.










The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.

* * * * *

They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.