BLAKE, William

William Blake
British 1757-1827
William Blake, artist, engraver, author. Born in London, his father a hosier, Blake received a very basic education ,though for a short time he attended a drawing school run by Henry Par. Blake became apprenticed to engraver James Basire at age 14. He finished his apprenticeship at age 21, and set out to make his living as an engraver. Blake married Catherine Boucher at age 25, Although Blake did work as an engraver and he occasionally illustrated and engraved other publications, he preferred to write and illustrate his own books. His wife helped him and worked on most of his artistic creations. He engraved the words and pictures on copper plates (a method he claimed he received in a dream), and Catherine coloured the plates and bound the books.
William Blake died on August 12, 1827, and is buried in an unmarked grave at Bunhill Fields, London

The Grave Illustrated by William Blake.