Brief Biography-William Blake was born in London’s Broad Street, the son of a successful hosier. At age ten, his father enrolled him in Henry Pars drawing school, considered the best drawing school in London. However, his father preferred afterwards, for financial reasons, to enlist him as an apprentice to the engraver James Basire for seven years. When his apprenticeship finished, he made his living from engraving and joined the Royal Academy but disliked life drawing and left the Academy.
He married Catherine Boucher, whom his father disliked because she was illiterate. When his father died, they moved in with his brother Robert next door to the old house on Broad Street. After a couple of years, Robert tragically died of illness. At Robert’s death, William claimed to have seen a vision of him ascending to Heaven, which led him to be in touch with The Heavens for the rest of his life.
He continued to do engravings but was only good at making a living from them once his brother appeared to him one day and instructed him on how to do proper engravings. Then, with the help of his wife and the tidings from his brother Robert, he managed to make a modest living. He moved to a house in Lambeth in 1790 for seven years, and he used to read poetry aloud in the garden with his wife while wearing only helmets. This period was a happy time when he achieved his best work.
After Lambeth, he moved to Felpham in Sussex. Unfortunately, he argued with a soldier over the war with France because he disagreed with the war. As a result, he was charged with assault and sedition and got off; however, he had to leave Sussex. He moved to an Apartment in South Molton Street, London, where he lived a meagre life until he met John Linnell, Samuel Palmer and John Varley. They encouraged him and gave him commissions until his death in Fountain Court near the Strand in 1827.