| | '''William Blake''' (1757-1827) was a [[British]] [[poet]], [[painter]], visionary mystic, and engraver, who illustrated and printed his own books. The best-known are the lyrical ''Songs of Innocence'' (1789) and ''Songs of Experience'' (1794) and his comments on established [[religion]], ''The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'' and ''The Everlasting Gospel''. His best-known work is the opening lines to his poem ''Milton'', which were set to music by Parry, ironically titled "Jerusalem," and is one of the most popular English hymns. He illuminated his self-published writings, illustrated [[Dante]] and Chaucer, and painted singular oils such as ''The Ghost of a Flea''.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2005/apr/25/williamblake]</ref> | | '''William Blake''' (1757-1827) was a [[British]] [[poet]], [[painter]], visionary mystic, and engraver, who illustrated and printed his own books. The best-known are the lyrical ''Songs of Innocence'' (1789) and ''Songs of Experience'' (1794) and his comments on established [[religion]], ''The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'' and ''The Everlasting Gospel''. His best-known work is the opening lines to his poem ''Milton'', which were set to music by Parry, ironically titled "Jerusalem," and is one of the most popular English hymns. He illuminated his self-published writings, illustrated [[Dante]] and Chaucer, and painted singular oils such as ''The Ghost of a Flea''.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2005/apr/25/williamblake]</ref> |
| | + | As described by the ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'', Blake witnessed the release of the [[soul]] of his beloved 24-year-old brother, Robert, who died from [[tuberculosis]] in 1787. Blake remained bedside for days with his ailing brother, and when he passed away Blake saw his “released [[spirit]] ascend heavenward through the matter-of-fact ceiling, ‘clapping its hands for joy,’” as recounted by Alexander Gilchrist.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Blake/Career-as-engraver</ref> |
| | He also wrote and illustrated several long epic poems of his own invented [[mythology]]. These are some of the most strikingly original works in English literature and art. His work was so different from that of most poets of his time that it was mainly ignored during his lifetime. | | He also wrote and illustrated several long epic poems of his own invented [[mythology]]. These are some of the most strikingly original works in English literature and art. His work was so different from that of most poets of his time that it was mainly ignored during his lifetime. |