William Blake Biography

(English Poet Who is Considered a Seminal Figure in the History of the Poetry of the Romantic Age)

Birthday: November 28, 1757 (Sagittarius)

Born In: London, England, United Kingdom

William Blake was a famous 18th century English artist, poet and printmaker. The poet was highly inclined towards art, and was always encouraged by his parents. At the age of ten, he was sent to one of the best institutions, so that he could excel in his passion. Later, he trained under printmaker, James Basire, showing innovation and dexterity in the art of etching. He pursued his higher education in painting and illustration from the 'Royal Academy of Arts', where he became more politically and socially conscious. After his father's demise, he began working independently writing and illustrating his own poems, while also working for other famous writers. He established a new technique of engraving, known as relief etching, where the text and its illustrations were illuminated on a copper plate, using a variety of acidic and non-acidic media. Though this poet remained unappreciated throughout his life, he produced many masterpieces, like 'Songs of Innocence and Experience', and 'Daughters of Albion'. He is also famous for his illustrations, particularly his last unfinished project, which is a pictorial representation of renowned poet Dante's literary work, ‘Divine Comedy’. This distinguished writer-illustrator's works have now become the benchmarks for any aspiring artist and poet

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Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In November

Died At Age: 69

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Catherine Blake ​(m. 1782), Catherine Blake ​ (m. 1782)

father: James Blake

mother: Catherine Wright Armitage Blake

Born Country: England

Poets British Men

Died on: August 12, 1827

place of death: London, England, United Kingdom

City: London, England

Notable Alumni: Royal Academy Of Arts

More Facts

education: Royal Academy Of Arts

  • 1

    What style of art is William Blake known for?

    William Blake is known for his unique style of art that combines poetry and visual imagery, often referred to as "illuminated printing."
  • 2

    What are some common themes in William Blake's poetry?

    Some common themes in William Blake's poetry include spirituality, imagination, innocence, and the contrast between good and evil.
  • 3

    What was the significance of William Blake's work during his time?

    William Blake's work was not widely recognized during his lifetime, but he is now considered a key figure in both literature and art due to his visionary and innovative approach.
  • 4

    How did William Blake influence later generations of artists and writers?

    William Blake's unconventional approach to art and poetry, as well as his emphasis on imagination and spirituality, had a significant impact on later generations of artists and writers, inspiring movements such as Romanticism.
  • 5

    What is the meaning behind William Blake's famous poem The Tyger?

    In "The Tyger," William Blake explores the concept of good and evil, posing questions about the nature of creation and the existence of both beauty and terror in the world.

Childhood & Early Life
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.
When he was almost twenty-two, he started attending the 'Royal Academy of Arts' in London. In this institution, he often criticized the artistic style of famous Baroque painter, Paul Rubens, thus getting into frequent trouble with portrait artist Joshua Reynolds, who was also the academy's president.
During this time, he grew close to fellow students and future artists, George Cumberland, John Flaxman, and Thomas Stothard.
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Career
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.
William made pictorial depictions of feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft's book, 'Original Stories from Real Life', in 1791. Though it is still a subject of speculation whether the two writers had really met, there are evidences that they had similar opinions about sexuality and marriage.
In 1793, he wrote 'Daughters of Albion', where he advocated sexual equivalence in marriage, and the rights that married women should have.
As a crusader for human rights and freedom, Blake penned 'Songs of Experience' in 1794, making the poem 'The Tyger', the focal point of the whole collection of 26 verses. The poem is considered to be related to 'The Lamb', where he asks, "Did he who made the Lamb make thee?"
From 1795-99, William produced several popular illustrations and poems, including 'The Night of Enitharmon's Joy', 'Newton', and 'A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows'. The latter, is a pictorial representation of author John Gabriel Stedman's 'Narrative, of a Five Years' Expedition, against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam', showing his hatred for racial slavery.
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Later, the engraver was hired as an illustrator by poet William Hayley, for which the former had to take up residence in Felpham, then Sussex. During his stay in Felpham, in 1804, Blake began writing 'Milton', and 'Jerusalem', the second one being the closest to his heart.
For 'Jerusalem', he initially requested the assistance of art dealer Robert Cromek, expressing his intention to depict Chaucer's characters from the 'Canterbury Tales'. Cromek, instead hired William's childhood friend Thomas Stothard, leaving the enthusiastic poet disheartened and enraged.
In 1809, William exhibited his own interpretation of the concept, giving it the title of 'The Canterbury Pilgrims'. Along with the etchings, he provided a critical analysis of the famous 'Canterbury Tales', as well as its creator Chaucer. However, the display did not have many viewers, and the paintings were bought by none.
In 1826, the exceptional illustrator was given the order of creating etchings of Italian poet Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, 'Divine Comedy'. Blake relentlessly worked on it for a year, including the day he died, producing incomplete but remarkable watercolours and engravings.
Major Works
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.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1782, Blake fell in love with Catherine Boucher while he was venting out his frustrations at being rejected by someone else. The couple got married on August 18 the same year. Catherine was taught to read and write after marriage, by her new husband. She also learnt engraving, and became a constant companion to the poet.
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.
From 2000-2015, many exhibitions have been held in England, to showcase this illustrator's creations, the most recent being at 'The Ashmolean Museum', in Oxford.
Facts About William Blake
William Blake claimed to have visions of angels and other supernatural beings throughout his life, which inspired much of his mystical and symbolic artwork and poetry.
Blake was a skilled engraver and often created elaborate illustrations for his own works, showcasing his talent as both a writer and visual artist.
Despite facing financial struggles during his lifetime, Blake remained dedicated to his artistic pursuits and maintained a strong sense of individuality and creative freedom.
He was known for his unconventional beliefs and political views, advocating for social and political reform through his writings and art.
Blake's work was not widely recognized during his lifetime, but he is now considered a visionary figure in the history of English literature and art, with his works continuing to inspire and provoke thought today.

See the events in life of William Blake in Chronological Order

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