William Blake was born on November 28, 1757, to James and Catharine Blake who also had six other children. Of the seven children in the family only five of the children survived, as a result of this Blake was closest to his younger brother Robert. Blake's father was a hosier, which provided a moderate living, and allowed the Blake family to live in a decent neighborhood. According to the biography page for William Blake found on poetry foundation.org "Blake was born into a family of moderate means" unlike other writers of this time (poets.org).  Blake did not attend grammar school, however According to the William Blake biography page from coloumbia grangers.org "Blake would learn to read and write at home" (coloumbiagrangers.org). Blake would also attend a drawing school, to pursue his desire to become a painter, this is not only the starting point of his artistry, but the beginning of his fondness of writing poetry. After a few short years of attending the art school Blake would leave to undertake an apprenticeship from a engraver, as a result of art school becoming too costly. Blake married Catharine Boucher, an illiterate woman whom Blake taught to read and write. Later Catherine would assist Blake in the printing of the poetry that is remembered by critics today.

 

In the romanticism time period in which Blake is writing poetry and creating his many engravings, historical events are taking place that influence his methods of illustration for the poems he is writing. Such events that Blake witnessed was Brittan's war with France. Another influential event in Blake's literary career, is the passing of Robert his younger brother. According to the biography about William Blake from poetry foundation .org states that "Blake always felt the spirit of Robert lived with him"(poetryfoundation.org). Blake passed away at the age of sixty nine in 1827. As a result of having no children, the Blake family linage was severed. Blake who would go mostly unnoticed for his works most of his life, is now revered as one of the greatest artists from the romantic age.