Author who put Limerick on the literary map? (4)

I believe the answer is:

lear

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'author' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for lear that I've seen before include "King -, Edward -" , "Shakespeare's tragic king (4)" , "Nonsense poet; drama king" , "Fictional king - English humorist" , "Shakespear's king" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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