The Hunting of the Snark is a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll. Written from 1874 to 1876, the poem borrows the setting, some creatures, and eight portmanteau words from Carroll's earlier poem "Jabberwocky" in his children's novel Through the Looking Glass. The plot follows a crew of ten trying to hunt the Snark, an animal which may turn out to be a highly dangerous Boojum; the only one of the crew to find the Snark quickly vanishes, leading the narrator to explain that it was a Boojum after all. Henry Holiday illustrated the poem, and the poem is dedicated to Gertrude Chataway, whom Carroll met as a young girl at the English seaside town Sandown in the Isle of Wight in 1875. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 – 1898), better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, was an English writer, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky", all examples of the genre of literary nonsense. He is noted for his facility at word play, logic, and fantasy.

Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, was an author, mathematician, and logician who left an indelible mark on the literary world. Carroll is best known for his enduring works of children's literature, specifically 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865) and its sequel 'Through the Looking-Glass' (1871). He blended elements of fantasy, nonsense, and wordplay to create unique narratives that appealed to both children and adults. His mastery over language and poetic form is evident in 'The Hunting of the Snark' (1876), a narrative nonsense poem that follows an 'impossible voyage of an improbable crew to find an inconceivable creature'. The poem explores themes of quest and the absurd, featuring a blend of humor and melancholy, and is exemplary of Carroll's distinctive style that often challenges logic and embraces the fantastical. Carroll's contribution to literature extends beyond entertainment, also influencing the study of semantics and linguistics. Despite the whimsical nature of his prose, Carroll was a serious scholar, teaching mathematics at Christ Church, Oxford. He engaged with symbolic logic and puzzle design, which is reflected in the complexity and playfulness of his literary works. Carroll's legacy lives on, inspiring countless adaptations, interpretations, and academic studies, solidifying him as an extraordinary figure in British literature and culture. His work has transcended the Victorian era, captivating readers and scholars over successive generations.