Washington, Franklin, Paine, and Warren, Gates, Hancock, and Green / Meet on the coast glowing with blood from Albion’s fiery Prince.

Though most biographers accept there was an acquaintanceship between the philosopher Paine and the poet-painter Blake, there has been little attempt to imagine the massive impact the connection might have had on the younger man. 

The 50-something firebrand must have been the most exciting person Blake had ever met. Did Paine radicalise Blake? To what extent did Blake homage Paine in the character Orc, and rebuke Paine in the character Urizen? 

McDevitt's walk progresses from Angel to Soho locating the disappeared streets where Paine held court to literary London in 1791 and where Catherine Blake died a lonely widow on 18 Oct 1831. 

2pm. £12. Meet outside Angel tube. Approx two and a half hours ending at Oxford Circus tube. Please click here for tickets.