Edward Lear (1812-1888)

'A Book of Nonsense', by Edward Lear.
London, England, 1846
link

In 1846 Lear published A Book of Nonsense, a volume of limericks
that went through three editions and helped popularize the form.
In 1865 The History of the Seven Families of the Lake Pipple-Popple
was published, and in 1867 his most famous piece of nonsense,
The Owl and the Pussycat, which he wrote for the children
of his patron Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. Many other works
followed and nonsense books were quite popular during his lifetime

There was a Young Lady whose chin,
Resembled the point of a pin;
So she had it made sharp, and purchased a harp,
And played several tunes with her chin

'A Book of Nonsense', 1861

There was an Old Mand with a beard,
who said. "It is just as I feared!
Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!"

ca. 1875 James Miller edition

link