William Blake and His “London”

William Blake (1757-1827),was born in London where his father, an Irishman, carried on a small hosiery business. He did not go to school but studied at home and was engaged in drawing. Then he was sent to a drawing school and later was apprenticed to an engraver. As in his twentieth year, his apprenticeship came to an end and he began to

William Blake （1757-1827）,was born in London where his father, an Irishman, carried on a small hosiery business. He did not go to school but studied at home and was engaged in drawing. Then he was sent to a drawing school and later was apprenticed to an engraver. As in his twentieth year, his apprenticeship came to an end and he began to earn his living as an engraver, receiving commissions from booksellers both for book illustrations and for engravings from pictures. At the same time he studied art at the Royal Academy, and became interested in poetry.