William Blake was an English poet, artist, and mystic, who followed no style but his own. His family was poor, and Blake had no opportunity to receive education as a child. He published a volume of lyrical poems called "Songs of Innocence" in 1789, followed by a companion volume "Songs of Experience". His later works, such as "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell", "The Gates of Paradise", and "Jerusalem" reflect his deep reflections about God and man.