The Blake Society

​​‘I give you the end of a golden string,
Only wind it into a ball:
It will lead you in at Heavens gate,
Built in Jerusalems wall.’ (E231)

The Blake Society was founded in 1985 and is a fast-growing community of members from all over the world. Whether you are just beginning to be curious about Blake’s work, or have been enjoying and studying it for decades, we welcome you into our Society. The Society’s aim is to celebrate the visionary work of William and Catherine Blake in all its manifestations of poetry, prose, and artwork. We also strive to inspire, to encourage and to give a platform to work arising from Blake’s incredible influence on artists, scientists, writers, musicians, performers and academics around the globe. We invite you to join us in this endeavour, exploring Blake’s work through live and online events of every kind.

As a registered charity we charge a minimal amount for the many benefits of membership, which include free access to the majority of events, a free email newsletter and a copy of the Blake Society journal, VALA. We have partnerships with the Swedenborg Society, Cambridge School of Art (ARU), St. James’s Church (Piccadilly, London), Global Blake (University of Lincoln), the Bradford Literature Festival, the Spiritual Arts Foundation (St. Albans) and the William Blake Congregation. We support the aims of the Blake Cottage Trust in restoring the Blake Cottage and are in conversation with Blake for Artists, Blake Fest, as well as the William Blake Fellowship who lead on saving the only other surviving Blake property at 17 South Molton Street, London.

The Blake and Race Project
In promoting Blake, The Blake Society aims to spread his ideas and beliefs, which address global suffering and international crises. Blake encountered censorship and lived in a time that was shaped by war. He felt people’s agonies and suffered deeply, which is why he espoused values, like anti-racism, anti-misogyny, which are in the DNA or fabric of The Blake Society. Our meetings are safe, welcoming and non-judgmental.

​​‘Abstract Philosophy warring in enmity against Imagination
Which is the Divine Body of the Lord Jesus. blessed for ever.’ (E148)

Read our updated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The Society wants to future-proof itself and project inclusive ventures. This policy was updated after consulting a small group of members. The starting point was Blake’s ​​‘The Little Black Boy’ from Songs of Innocence (1789), mentioned in a review of the exhibition ‘William Blake’s Universe’ (2024) at the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge. The consultation process lasted several months and involved email and ZOOM conversations. The following document is a summary of those conversations; it  includes quotations from Blake and statements by participants, both are responses to the questions posed; this consultation is an attempt to safeguard the Society’s spirit by making its attitude of diversity/inclusivity explicit. 

Read more about the Blake and Race Project

Three Intentions
— We want to work towards the bi-centenary of Blake’s death in 1827 – #Blake200 – to prove that Blake is more relevant than ever.
— We want to prioritise collaboration, be bold, and engage with the public, including young people who will encounter Blake for the first time.
— We want to think creatively as equal partners, so that we can collectively imagine the role that Blake can play.