William Blake was an English poet, painter, and engraver who
created a unique form of illustrated verse; his poetry, inspired by
mystical vision, is among the most original lyric and prophetic in the
language.

Blake, the son of a hosier, was born November 28, 1757, in London,
where he lived most of his life. Largely self-taught, he was,
however, widely read, and his poetry shows the influence of the
German mystic Jakob Boehme, for example, and of
Swedenborgianism. As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter.
He was sent to drawing school and at the age of 14 was apprenticed
to James Basire, an engraver. After his 7-year term was over, he
studied briefly at the Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the
aesthetic doctrines of its president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Blake did,
however, later establish friendships with such academicians as John
Flaxman and Henry Fuseli, whose work may have influenced him. In
1784 he set up a printshop; although it failed after a few years, for
the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and
illustrator. His wife helped him print the illuminated poetry for which
he is remembered today.

Blake's final years, spent in great poverty, were cheered by the
admiring friendship of a group of younger artists. He died in London,
August 12, 1827, leaving uncompleted a cycle of drawings inspired
by Dante's Divine Comedy.