| − | '''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 Experienc''e (1794) and his comments on established religion, ''The Marriage of Heaven and Hell'' and ''The Everlasting Gospel''. His best-known work is probably the short lyric ''Jerusalem'', from the preface to his poem ''Milton''. This was set to music by Parry, and is one of the most popular English hymns. | + | '''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 probably the short lyric ''Jerusalem'', from the preface to his poem ''Milton''. This was set to music by Parry, and is one of the most popular English hymns. |
| | 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. |