William Blake is a towering and somewhat mystifying figure of the 18th Century Romantic Era in England, well known if scarcely understood for his visionary and unfathomable etchings and poetry. In parallel with his great artistic expression is a political sensibility that is at once timeless and immediate. Walker Brents III, in another of his legendary monthly talks at Bird & Beckett, will explore the arc of Blake’s politics tonight in a high wire feat of extemporaneous exposition.

Says Walker, “I want to make an exploration with the theme of William Blake: Man of the Left. Maybe a corny title. Yet I find it suggestive–a visionary mystic nevertheless in intimate dialogue with the trends of his troubled times. How can it be that his point of view is so prescient? Could it be the times then are secretly connected with the times now? Industrialization, urbanization, tyranization, rumors of revolution. Mr. Blake is still a creative leftist prototype, one who will reward inspired scrutiny.”

Catch Walker’s talk Wednesday evening at 7:30 from the comfort of your own living room (or wherever you are with your little device) on Bird & Beckett’s YouTube channel or on our Facebook page.

Donate $10 or any amount while you’re at it (there’s a donate button in the navigation bar above, and here), so that we can help put food on his table to keep that lively intellect of his fed!

Walker’s talks have given us immense pleasure month after month for nearly two decades. If you haven’t experienced one, you’re in for something to be thankful for, indeed!