C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
William Blake (1757–1827)
Blake, William. An English poet and artist; born in London, Nov. 28, 1757; died there, Aug. 12, 1827. His most memorable work is found in the child-like ‘Songs of Innocence’ (1789) and ‘Songs of Experience’ (1794). In the so-called “prophetic books,” including ‘Book of Thel’ (1789); ‘Marriage of Heaven and Hell’ (1790); ‘Book of Urizen’ (1794); ‘Book of Los’ (1795); ‘Book of Ahania’ (1795); ‘Jerusalem’ (1804); and ‘Milton’ (1804), his mysticism leads him so far into unintelligibility as to lay him open to the charge of insanity. His books were printed from copper-plates engraved by his own hand. His most important illustrations are those to Blair’s ‘Grave’ (1804–5) and to the ‘Book of Job’ (1826). (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).