Though in his own day William Blake (1757-1827) was little known and often ridiculed as “mad,” he is today widely considered to be one of England’s most important creative figures. A self-styled mystic, visionary, religious rebel, free thinker, and person who thought himself to be in direct communication with God, Blake’s popularity continues to grow with the passage of time. Since his death his work has been discovered and rediscovered by succeeding generations who have admired his poetry, engravings, drawings and painting.
