Blake, William (1757-1827) Blake was a poet, a painter and engraver, who created a unique form of illustrated verse. His poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is among the most original, lyric, and prophetic in the English language. Blake's style has been described as a pre-Romantic

Blake, the son of a hosier, was born in London was largely self-taught but he was widely read. As a child he wanted to become a painter but he also began writing poetry. He was sent to a drawing school at age 10 and by the age of 14 was apprenticed to an engraver. Blake married Catherine Boucher in 1782 and in 1784 they set up a print-sellers' shop with another engraver and Blake's brother, Robert, who died in 1787.

William and Catherine moved to Lambeth in 1790 as he saw Lambeth as 'the place of the Lamb' and a site for a new Jerusalem. They lived in a large house which was on the site of present day 23 Hercules Road. His new home housed a rolling press and painting studio.

When a friend interrupted him and Catherine in their summer house where they were reciting passages from Paradise Lost. 'Come in,' Blake called out. 'It's only Adam and Eve, you know!