20 moments

1. Birth at Broad Street

   1757-11-28 · 28 Broad Street (now Broadwick Street), Soho, London, England

   

   Blake was born in Soho at the Broad Street house where he spent his childhood and early adulthood. The original house was demolished; coordinates identify the former Broad Street site.

2. Baptism at St James's Church

   1757-12-11 · St James's Church, Piccadilly, London, England

   

   Blake was baptised at St James's Church, Piccadilly, shortly after his birth.

3. Apprenticeship to James Basire

   1772-08-04 · Great Queen Street, London, England

   Blake began a seven-year apprenticeship to engraver James Basire at Basire's Great Queen Street premises. Coordinates represent Basire's Great Queen Street workplace rather than a documented street number.

4. Sketching assignment at Westminster Abbey

   1774-01-01 · Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England

   During his Basire apprenticeship, Blake was sent to copy images in London Gothic churches and spent afternoons sketching in Westminster Abbey. The year is calculated from the article's dated 1772 apprenticeship and its statement that Basire sent him after two years; the assignment continued thereafter.

5. Royal Academy student

   1779-10-08 · Old Somerset House, Strand, London, England

   Blake entered the Royal Academy, then housed in Old Somerset House near the Strand, for formal artistic study. Old Somerset House was demolished; coordinates represent its former site.

6. Gordon Riots at Newgate Prison

   1780-06-01 · Newgate Prison site, City of London, England

   Gilchrist's account places Blake in the mob that attacked Newgate Prison during the Gordon Riots. The prison no longer stands; coordinates identify the historic Newgate site. Blake's position in the mob is reported by his first biographer.

7. Green Street residence

   1782-01-01 · 23 Green Street, Mayfair, London, England

   After his marriage, Blake lived at 23 Green Street near Leicester Square. The source gives a residence span of 1782–83; the card date records its beginning.

8. Marriage to Catherine Boucher

   1782-08-18 · St Mary's Church, Battersea, London, England

   Blake married Catherine Boucher at St Mary's Church, Battersea, beginning their lifelong artistic and domestic partnership.

9. Parker and Blake print shop

   1784-01-01 · 27 Broad Street, Golden Square, London, England

   Blake and former fellow apprentice James Parker operated their print shop from Broad Street following the death of Blake's father. Coordinates identify the former Broad Street location; the original numbering and buildings have changed.

10. Poland Street residence

    1785-01-01 · 28 Poland Street, Soho, London, England

    

    Blake was resident in Poland Street, Soho, during the early phase of his independent career.

11. Hercules Buildings residence

    1790-01-01 · 13 Hercules Buildings, Hercules Road, Lambeth, London, England

    

    Blake lived and worked in North Lambeth at 13 Hercules Buildings during the period in which he produced many illuminated books. The property was demolished; coordinates identify the former Hercules Road site.

12. Felpham cottage residence

    1800-01-01 · Blake's Cottage, Felpham, West Sussex, England

    

    At Felpham, Blake lived in the cottage now known as Blake's Cottage while illustrating works for William Hayley. The article identifies the residence as lasting until 1803.

13. Move to Felpham

    1800-09-18 · Blake's Cottage, Felpham, West Sussex, England

    

    Blake moved from Lambeth to Felpham to work for William Hayley, beginning the three-year Sussex residence in which he started Milton. Coordinates identify Blake's Cottage, the documented Felpham residence.

14. South Molton Street residence

    1803-01-01 · 17 South Molton Street, Mayfair, London, England

    

    After leaving Felpham, Blake returned to London and occupied rooms at 17 South Molton Street for nearly seventeen years. The move occurred in autumn 1803; the source does not provide a specific arrival day.

15. Altercation in Felpham

    1803-08-01 · Blake's Cottage, Felpham, West Sussex, England

    Blake was physically involved in an altercation with soldier John Schofield at Felpham, the incident that led to criminal charges. The source places the altercation at Felpham but does not provide a day; coordinates represent Blake's documented cottage and garden area.

16. Trial at Chichester Quarter Sessions

    1804-01-11 · Chichester Guildhall, Chichester, West Sussex, England

    Blake appeared at Chichester Quarter Sessions to answer charges arising from the Felpham incident and was acquitted. Coordinates identify Chichester Guildhall, the historic assize and sessions venue.

17. Independent exhibition at Broad Street

    1809-01-01 · 27 Broad Street, Soho, London, England

    Blake mounted an independent exhibition in his brother's Broad Street haberdashery, displaying The Canterbury Pilgrims and other works. The article dates the associated Descriptive Catalogue to 1809; the shop building no longer survives.

18. Meeting John Linnell

    1818-01-01 · Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London, England

    Blake met the younger artist John Linnell, initiating a crucial late-life friendship and patronage relationship. The source establishes the year and meeting place but not a date within 1818; coordinates represent Rathbone Place.

19. Move to Fountain Court

    1821-01-01 · 3 Fountain Court, Strand, London, England

    

    Blake made his final move, from South Molton Street to No. 3 Fountain Court off the Strand. Fountain Court was demolished and redeveloped; coordinates identify the former court beside the Strand.

20. Death at Fountain Court

    1827-08-12 · 3 Fountain Court, Strand, London, England

    

    Blake died at his final Fountain Court residence after working that day on his Dante illustrations. The original house was demolished; coordinates identify the former Fountain Court location.