Life of William Blake With Selections from his Poems and Other Writings [Paperback]

The 1880 edition of Gilchrist's influential 1863 biography of William Blake, containing a selection of Blake's writings and paintings.The publication of this influential biography in 1863 challenged contemporary opinions of William Blake and revealed his talents as an artist and writer. Volume 1 is an account of Blakes life, combining excerpts from his written works and paintings with detailed biographical information drawn from surviving letters and contemporary accounts.The publication of this influential biography in 1863 challenged contemporary opinions of William Blake and revealed his talents as an artist and writer. Volume 1 is an account of Blakes life, combining excerpts from his written works and paintings with detailed biographical information drawn from surviving letters and contemporary accounts.Although today William Blake (17571827) is recognised as a visionary poet and artist, at the time of his death he was unknown except for his presumed insanity. This highly influential two-volume biography by the barrister Alexander Gilchrist, first published in 1863 and reissued here in its second edition (1880), rescued William Blake from almost complete obscurity. The accepted interpretation of his madness was challenged and his creative talents were brought to the attention of Victorian society by the inclusion of selected writings and artistic works, nearly all previously unpublished. Volume 1 of Gilchrist's book is an account of William Blake's life, combining excerpts from his written works and paintings with detailed biographical information drawn from surviving letters and contemporary accounts.Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Preliminary; 2. Childhood; 3. Engraver's apprentice; 4. A boy's poems; 5. Student and lover; 6. Introduction to the polite world; 7. Struggle and sorrow; 8. Meditation: notes on Lavater; 9. Poems of manhood: Songs of Innocence; 10. Books of prophecy: Thel, Marriage of Heaven and Hell; 11. BooksellelC-