Book 1, Introductions : Chapter 1, Preface into Section I Summary

The edition used to produce this summary is the Newly Revised Edition of The Complete Poetry & Prose of William Blake. It was considered a monumental success when this complete edition of the author's work was first assembled in 1965.

This work begins with a Preamble by scholars. The author's private notes and collection have been gleaned to bring this work together. In addition, modern technology such as infra-red photography has been applied in order to make discovery and rediscovery of some parts of William Blake's artworks possible. Also included are works that have only been published posthumously. Blake, as the author's letters explain near the end of the book, is one of the most famous artists in recent history to have held "a day job" during much of his adult life. He...