Author,npainter, engraver, mystic, artist…William Blake was a realnRenaissance man who lived in Great Britain several centuries afternthe Renaissance. (A “Renaissance man” is defined as someone withnmany talents or interests, especially in the humanities.)
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Blakenis also one of those examples of someone who is appreciated more bynlater generations. During his own time, many thought that Blake wasn“mad” (crazy) because he had such different ideas, and he diednpenniless and largely unrecognized. Nowadays, his reception is mixed.nSome people dismiss his art. Many have never heard of him. However,nhis originality and creativity have earned Blake high praise fromnmany others—one art critic even said that William Blake is “far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced.”
Blakenis also one of those examples of someone who is appreciated more bynlater generations. During his own time, many thought that Blake wasn“mad” (crazy) because he had such different ideas, and he diednpenniless and largely unrecognized. Nowadays, his reception is mixed.nSome people dismiss his art. Many have never heard of him. However,nhis originality and creativity have earned Blake high praise fromnmany others—one art critic even said that William Blake is “far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced.” n
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nWilliamnBlake was born on this date in 1757 in London. He lived almost hisnentire life in that great city, and he is often credited as being one of the first of the “Romantics”—helping to start the artistic and literary movement known as Romanticism.
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nCheck out Blake’s poetry. n
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- “The Tyger” is perhaps his most famous poem.
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- Repeat After Usnoffers audio files of various people reading aloud Blake’s poems.
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nRead Write Thinkn offers several links to Blake’s artwork, plus activity suggestions.
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nAlsonon this date:
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nAnniversary of Magellan naming the Pacific Ocean
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nAnniversary of the first skywriting in U.S. skies
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nAlbania’s Independence Day
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Burundi’s Republic Day
Burundi’s Republic Day n
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nChad’s Republic Day
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Mauritania’s Independence Day
Mauritania’s Independence Day n
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nPanama’s Independence Day
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