Full name: William Blake Born: 28th November 1757 Place of Birth: Soho, London Occupation: Poet, Artist, Illustrator and Engraver Died: 12th August 1827

William Blake was born in Soho, London on 28th November 1757 to John Blake, a hosier and was a hugely influential poet, artist and engraver, but did not gain extensive recognition until 19th Century, when he became respected and admired by scholars.  Blake's early years were spent being educated by his mother until he was sent to a drawing school on the Strand, which lead Blake to become an apprentice for James Basire, an engraver. 

Blake spent a large amount of time drawing various monuments and paintings in Westminster Abbey.  Following his comprehensive apprenticeship, Blake attended the Royal Academy of Arts and was influenced by a wide variety of artists and painters, such as John Flaxman.  However, Blake challenged the artistic policies implemented by the President of the Royal Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Blake was forced to leave.

Blake married his wife, Catherine Boucher, who he taught to read and write and trained her as an engraver.  Catherine helped Blake with his work and opened a print shop with him, whilst consistently supporting his visions and ideas.  Blake's print shop opened in 1784 and with the help of a wooden rolling press, Blake was able to test various printing techniques. Unfortunately, Blake's print shop was unsuccessful and he spent the remaining part of his career as an engraver and illustrator.

Throughout his life, Blake was extremely visionary and often mentioned that he had witnessed angels and the vision of his late brother, which caused many to claim he was a 'lunatic'.  Blake claimed that his late brother had contacted him with a method of engraving, which he labelled 'relief engraving'.

Relief engraving became revolutionary for Blake and allowed him to produce images and text as print as at the same time.  A notebook was left to Blake by his brother, which Blake later called his 'illuminated books', it combined the words of a poet and the visions of a painter and Blake filled it with ideas, sketches and poems.

In 1789, William Blake published his first collection of poems called 'Songs of Innocence', which was followed by the publication of 'Songs of Experience' about deceit and domination.  Many poems from Blake's collections such as 'The Tyger' are still taught today in schools and much of Blake's work has been appreciated more so after his death than whilst he was alive. William Blake died on 12th August 1827 in London.