The complete poetry and prose of william blake, ed. To the william blake archive newsletter. William blake (28 november 1757 โ€“ 12 august 1827) was an english poet, painter and printmaker.

Blake's technique was to produce his text and design on a copper plate with an impervious liquid. The plate was then dipped in acid so that the text and design remained in relief. Blake's first printed work, poetical sketches (1783), is a collection of apprentice verse, mostly imitating classical models. The poems protest against war, tyranny, and king george iii's treatment of the.