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  • Published: 31 March 1999
  • ISBN: 9780385152136
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 1024
  • RRP: $72.00

The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake



Since its first publication in 1965, this edition  has been widely hailed as the best available text  of Blake's poetry and prose. Now revised, if  includes up-to-date work on variants, chronology of  poems and critical commentary by Harold Bloom.

An  "Approved Edition" of the Center for Scholarly  Editions of the Modern Language Association.

  • Published: 31 March 1999
  • ISBN: 9780385152136
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 1024
  • RRP: $72.00

About the author

William Blake

William Blake was born on 28 November 1757 in London. Instead of being sent to school he was given drawing classes from a young age.When he was fourteen he was apprenticed to the engraver James Basire and he later went on to work as an engraver, illustrator, printer and drawing teacher. In 1779 he became a student at the Royal Academy. In 1782 he married Catherine Boucher who was to become a great support to him throughout his life.His first collection of poems, Poetical Sketches was published in 1793. In 1789 he published Songs of Innocence which was followed by Songs of Experience in 1793. In the early 1800s he wrote his epic prophetic poems Milton and Jerusalem. He developed his own practice of illustrating his poetical works with his own etchings, producing beautifully illuminated editions. Blake's political beliefs were controversial for the times; he supported the French Revolution, condemned slavery and the subjugation of women. His religious beliefs were also idiosyncratic and he reported seeing visions of angels at various points in his life. Blake died, poor and in obscurity on 12 August 1827.

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