The publication of this influential biography in 1863 challenged contemporary opinions of William Blake and revealed his talents as an artist and writer. Volume 2 contains a selection of Blake's poetry and prose and an annotated catalogue of his drawings and paintings.

Although today William Blake (1757-1827) 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to the attention of Victorian society by the inclusion of selected writings and artistic works, nearly all previously unpublished.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 2 contains a large selection of Blake's poetry and prose together with an annotated catalogue of his drawings and paintings.