The Famous Authors: William Blake

This video, part of the Famous Authors series, examines the life and work of Romantic poet William Blake. Born in London in the mid-18th century, Blake is often cited as being the forerunner of the Romantic period in art and literature. He was a poet of long, emotionally expressive works that were epic, though with a lush and lyrical tone. More than just a writer, Blake was a talented painter and engraver, usually accompanying his poems with illustrations or engravings. His most famous poems include Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. This video captures the world of this British poet, featuring portraits, photographs, and archival material along with commentary from scholars about his life and his work.