William Blake (November 28, 1757-August 12, 1827), an English poet and painter, is considered to be one of the foremost leaders in poetry and the visual arts of the Romantic Age. While the scope and nature of Blake's work makes it difficult for him to be classified, his genius cannot be denied. Many of his poems and writings were based on "visions" he claimed to have had since childhood. He is best known for Songs of Innocence (1789) and Songs of Experience (1794).