William Blake

William Blake (1757 – 1827) was a painter and poet who made a living as an engraver and illustrator. He spoke of having visions from an early age and was a nonconformist, associating with the leading radical thinkers of his day.  His best- known collections were Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794) printed in illustrated format reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts.