William Blake

"William Blake was born on November 28, 1757, in Soho, London, England. He was the third of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. His father, James, was a hosier who had moved to London from Sussex. His mother, Catherine, was a devout Dissenter who educated William at home. He showed an early interest in art and literature and was encouraged by his parents to pursue his talents. Blake began writing poetry at a young age and claimed to have visions of angels and other spiritual beings. He also developed a rebellious attitude towards the authority of the Church and the State, which would later influence his political and religious views. He apprenticed with an engraver at the age of 14 and learned to produce illustrations for books and prints. He also attended the Royal Academy of Arts as a student, where he exhibited some of his works. In 1782, Blake married Catherine Boucher, a daughter of a market gardener. She was illiterate but became his faithful companion and assistant. Blake taught her to read and write and to help him with his printing and coloring. They had no children but shared a deep affection and respect for each other. Blake’s first collection of poems, Poetical Sketches, was published in 1783 with the help of his friends. He also began to experiment with a new method of printing his own books, which he called illuminated printing. This involved writing the text and drawing the designs on copper plates, which were then etched and printed in color. He used this technique to produce his most famous works, such as Songs of Innocence (1789), Songs of Experience (1794), The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790-93), The Book of Urizen (1794), The Book of Los (1795), The Book of Ahania (1795), America a Prophecy (1793), Europe a Prophecy (1794), The Song of Los (1795), The Four Zoas (1795-1807), Milton (1804-08), and Jerusalem (1804-20). Blake’s poetry and art were influenced by his visionary imagination, his mystical and esoteric beliefs, his radical views on politics, religion, and society, and his admiration for the works of Milton, Shakespeare, Dante, and the Bible. He created a complex mythology that expressed his ideas about the nature of God, man, and the universe. He also criticized the oppression and corruption of the institutions of his time, such as the monarchy, the church, the industrial revolution, and the wars. He advocated for social justice, human rights, sexual freedom, and spiritual liberation. Blake’s works were largely ignored or misunderstood by his contemporaries, who considered him mad or eccentric. He lived in poverty and obscurity for most of his life and suffered from various illnesses. He died on August 12, 1827, in Charing Cross, London. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Bunhill Fields cemetery until 2018 when a new memorial stone was erected by the Blake Society. Blake is now regarded as one of the greatest poets and artists of the English language and one of the pioneers of the Romantic movement. His works have inspired generations of writers, artists, musicians, philosophers, and activists. He is widely celebrated for his originality, creativity, and vision."