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Abstract

He is one of the greatest poets in the English language, an artist and visionary whose work is known worldwide.

So it comes as a surprise to many that the grave of William Blake in Bunhill Fields, off City Road, a resting place for many radicals, dissenters and nonconformists, is not properly marked.

Now a campaign is underway by the Blake Society to properly commemorate the final resting place of the poet.

London-born Blake died in poverty in 1827 and was buried in an unmarked grave. One hundred years later, a memorial stone was erected at the correct spot but was moved 20 metres away – where it stands today – to create a grassy space.

The precise location of Blake’s grave was forgotten after the stone was moved and only rediscovered 10 years ago by Luis and Carol Garrido, now Blake Society members.

The lack of a proper memorial is in stark contrast to the grand tomb of baptist preacher and writer John Bunyan and author Daniel Defoe’s obelisk.

The Blake Society is trying to raise £40,000 for the new gravestone and is planning a programme of events to promote the fundraising.

Only £4,500 has been raised so far, but chairman Tim Heath hopes to win the backing of a wealthy city donor.

He said: “William Blake is everywhere and yet nowhere in our society. We hear of the ‘dark satanic mills’ and ‘mind-forged manacles’ but when you try to look for places associated with this great poet and artist in London then you’ll find his grave unmarked and no house in public ownership.

“Let’s see if we can set the historical record right.”

Permission for the memorial has been granted by the City of London, Islington Council and Historic England.

The society had initially hoped for an upright headstone but planning regulations do not allow this and it will instead be a flat ledger stone.

The services of the country’s foremost letter-cutter, Lida Cardoza, have been enlisted.

Calls have also been made to mark properly the burial places of Blake’s mother and wife, which are both nearby.

“By building this memorial at least people who come on Blake pilgrimages can locate his exact grave,” said Mr Heath.