William Blake

William Blake was an English poet and artist during the early Victorian era, or the late 18th and into the 19th century. Blake was not necessarily highly regarded during his lifetime, but after his death in 1827, Blake began to receive more and more praise for his accomplishments. Blake was born into a middle class family in London, and it is said that during his childhood, Blake began to have "visions" during which Blake saw what he believed to be God or other figures such as angels. Blake was a religious man, but denounced many of the common religious principles of his day. He had his own religious and social beliefs, many of which were controversial during his time. For instance, Blake was a strong believer in racial and sexual equality. Also, Blake believed that orthodoxy of his time suppressed natural desires and discouraged people having a good time. He believed that religion had gotten out of hand in the way that no earthly being could possibly meet the demands of church leaders of the day. Despite holding ideals of rejecting external authority, Blake opposed the enlightenment movement, however is still considered an enlightenment poet. Strange situation for a strange man, what else is there to say?