William Blake

The prolific poet succumbed to an unknown disease on August 12, 1827, at his residence in Fountain Court, Strand. He is said to have been working on the illustrations of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, and died in the evening after declaring his undying love for his wife.

Several books have been written about Blake and his poems, some of the most popular and comprehensive being 'Blake: Prophet Against Empire: A Poet's Interpretation of the History of His Own Times', by David Erdma, and 'Blake's Apocalypse', by Harold Bloom.

William Blake was born in Soho, London, to James, a garment manufacturer, and his wife Catherine Wright Armitage, on November 28, 1757. The young boy had six other siblings, four of them being younger than him.

The child was baptized in Piccadilly’s 'St James's Church', on December 11, 1757.

As a young boy, his parents would often buy him drawings of Greek relics, which he would sit and copy. Through this practice, he acquainted himself with the painting styles of great artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.

By the time he was ten, William's parents took him out of school, and sent him to 'Pars's drawing school', where he would be able to hone his innate talent as an artist. Otherwise, he was privately taught by his mother who instilled in him a liking for the poetry of writers like Edward Spenser and Ben Jonson.

In 1772, Blake was sent to James Basire, renowned engraver who practised at his workshop on Great Queen Street. When the apprentice turned twenty-one, he graduated as a professional, after which he took up his first assignment of making engravings inspired by the Gothic churches of London.

The gifted engraver and poet produced his first literary work in 1783, entitled 'Poetical Sketches', which was a compilation of poems written by him.

The following year, in 1784, he started his own workshop, assisted by fellow engraver James Parker and publisher Joseph Johnson. During this time, Blake developed extreme political views, where he condemned class division and slavery in the English society.

In 1784, William wrote 'An Island in the Moon', which remained incomplete till his death.

Eight years later, in 1788, the talented artist began using the process of ‘relief etching’ to produce his poems, accompanied by illustrations. He jotted down the poems on copper planes, and then gave it an illuminating effect.

In 1789, he wrote 'Songs of Innocence', portraying childhood through 19 timeless poetic illustrations including 'The Lamb', and 'The Chimney Sweeper'. 'The Lamb' became the symbol of innocence, drawing similarities with Jesus Christ.

Appreciated posthumously, this poet’s creations, ‘Songs of Innocence’ and ‘Songs of Experience’ are considered the best works ever produced. They have become so popular that celebrated composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams, Joseph Holbrooke, and Jeff Johnson, among others have composed music for the poems.