William Blake
William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker, one of the most original and visionary artists in the history of English literature. Almost unknown in his own lifetime, he is now regarded as a towering figure of the Romantic age, unique for uniting profound poetry with his own extraordinary visual art.
His best-known poetry includes Songs of Innocence and of Experience — containing famous poems like 'The Tyger' ('Tyger Tyger, burning bright') and 'The Lamb' — and his longer, mythological 'prophetic books.' Blake engraved and hand-coloured his poems himself, so that word and image formed a single visionary whole.
A radical thinker and mystic who claimed to see visions from childhood, Blake rejected the conventions of his age and created a personal mythology of imagination, energy, and spiritual liberty. His work has inspired poets, artists, and musicians ever since.
His shorter poems are vivid and accessible; the longer works are more mystical. Our editions present his poetry clearly. Read a selection free, and read or listen with a membership.
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Frequently asked questions about William Blake
What did William Blake write?
Blake wrote poetry and created illustrated books that combine his verse with his own engravings. His most famous poems are in Songs of Innocence and of Experience, including 'The Tyger' and 'The Lamb.' He also wrote longer mythological works, the 'prophetic books,' such as The Marriage of Heaven and Hell and Jerusalem. His short lyrics are his best-loved works.
Where should I start with William Blake?
Start with Songs of Innocence and of Experience, his collection of short, powerful poems — including 'The Tyger,' one of the most famous poems in English. These are accessible, musical, and deeply resonant. His longer prophetic books are far more challenging and best explored later.
What is 'The Tyger' about?
'The Tyger' is a short, hypnotic poem that asks, in wonder and awe, what kind of creator could have made so fierce and beautiful a beast — 'Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night.' It meditates on the mystery of creation, and on how the same maker could form both the terrifying tiger and the gentle lamb. It is one of the most anthologised poems in the language.
Was William Blake a painter as well as a poet?
Yes — Blake was a trained engraver and a highly original visual artist, and he considered his poetry and his art inseparable. He printed his poems using his own hand-engraved plates, illustrating and colouring each page himself, so that text and image were experienced together. He is unique among great poets for the depth of his accompanying visual work.
Are William Blake's poems hard to read?
His short poems, like those in Songs of Innocence and of Experience, are clear, musical, and immediately powerful, though rich in meaning. His longer prophetic works, built on a complex personal mythology, are genuinely difficult. Starting with the short poems, in a clear edition, is by far the best approach.
When did William Blake live?
Blake lived from 1757 to 1827 in London. He published Songs of Innocence in 1789 and Songs of Experience in 1794, working through the Romantic era. Largely unrecognised in his lifetime, he was rediscovered and celebrated by later generations.
Where can I read William Blake for free?
Blake's poems are in the public domain and freely available. Older editions preserve his original text. Here you can read a selection free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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