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William Blake

(1757-1827)


Poetry


 

Biography

William Blake was a visionary poet, artist, and printmaker who lived in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in 1757, Blake was the son of a hosiery merchant and grew up in the vibrant and bustling city of London.

From a young age, Blake showed a talent for drawing and painting, and he later trained as an engraver. He began to publish his own poetry and illustrations in the 1780s, and his work quickly gained a reputation for its visionary and mystical qualities.

Blake's poetry was marked by a deeply personal and spiritual vision, and he believed that the imagination was the key to understanding the divine. His most famous works, such as "The Tyger" and "The Songs of Innocence and Experience," explored themes of innocence, experience, and the nature of the human soul.

In addition to his poetry, Blake was also an accomplished artist and printmaker. He created a unique style of printing known as "illuminated printing," which combined text and images to create visually stunning and expressive works of art.

Despite his talents, Blake struggled to find commercial success during his lifetime, and he remained relatively unknown until after his death in 1827. However, his work went on to inspire generations of writers, artists, and thinkers, and he is now regarded as one of the greatest poets and artists of the Romantic era.

William Blake's legacy continues to inspire and fascinate readers and scholars today. His visionary and mystical works offer a unique perspective on the human experience and continue to resonate with readers across the centuries.

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