Visionary Materialism in the Early Works of William Blake: The Intersection of Enthusiasm and Empiricism

by Matthew J.A. Green

Incorporating the most recent discoveries concerning Blake's heritage and cultural context, Visionary Materialism in the Early Works of William The Intersection of Enthusiasm and Empiricism proposes a radical new reading of his early works, that sees them taking enlightenment ideas to heights never dreamed of by Locke and Priestley. Drawing on a careful analysis of key figures from both sides of the enlightenment/counter-enlightenment divide (including Boehme, Swedenborg, the Moravians, Lavater, Brothers, Erasmus Darwin), the discussion traces an alternative tradition that disrupts previous assumptions about important aspects of Blake's thought.

228 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Dr. Matthew J.A. Green is an Associate Professor in English Literature at the University of Nottingham, England.

Dr Green holds a PhD from the University of Leeds and a BA from the University of British Columbia.

His overarching interests concern cultural inheritance and the place of literature and art within the wider community. Dr Green passionately believes that literature and related arts make considerable contributions to communities and he is especially interested in the ways in which the works and ideas of the past not only underpin much of what people do and think, but also can yield fresh insight regarding contemporary issues. His research considers the intersection of literature, art and critical theory from the eighteenth century through to the present day, with a particular emphasis on the works of William Blake and those artists, writers and theorists who have engaged with his work. He also has related interests in Gothic literature and media, as well as in the poetry of Lord Byron, particularly with regard to the intersection of politics and terror in his work.