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 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. 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.