William Blake

This book is addressed to the 18th century English Romantic poet and artist, William Blake. Blake is well known for his illuminated books, including Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, and his epic poems, including Milton and Jerusalem.

Born in 1757, Blake went to art school at early age. After some time as an apprentice to artist working for the Society of Antiquities, Blake was admitted to the Royal Academy, and exhibited there in 1780. In 1782 Blake married Catherine Boucher, whom he taught how to write and draw.

With a career as an artist and poet well underway, Blake took the fateful decision to move from London to Felpham. After an incident with a solder in his front garden, Blake was charged with High Treason, a charge Blake defeated while defending himself.

This book is written in poetic prose and follows Blake's work and life to some extent, but mainly uses Blake to formulate poetic brevities to advance the flow of this work addressed to William Blake.

Paul Fearne holds a PhD from Latrobe University, and a Masters degree in the philosophy of art on beauty from the University of Melbourne.

His poetry has appeared widely, in Westerly, Australian Poetry Journal, Mascara Literary Review, Snorkel, Unusual Work and Stylus, amongst others.

Fearne's first book was launched at the 2010 Melbourne Writer's Festival, and he was then interviewed on Radio National around the country.

Fearne's interest in 18th / 19th century letters follows up from his last book on Lord Byron, and books on French poets, Paul Verlaine, Mallarme, Baudelaire and Rimbaud.