Index Bibliography

The Ghost of Abel

Currently Available:

The Ghost of Abel, copy A, 1822 (Library of Congress): electronic edition

Dates are the probable dates of printing.

This brief drama addressed to Lord Byron, whose Cain, a Mystery appeared in 1821, treats the themes of revenge, atonement, forgiveness, and self-annihilation through the reactions of Adam, Eve, Satan, and Jehovah to the first murder. The two plates of the work were etched in relief in 1822; all copies (A-E) were printed in the same year. Copy E consists only of plate 1.

Related Works

Related works currently available in the William Blake Archive appear as links below. Works not currently available appear as plain text.

All Known Copies
  • Copy A, 1822
    Rosenwald Collection, Library of Congress
    Washington D.C.
  • Copy B, 1822
    Fitzwilliam Museum
    Cambridge, England
  • Copy C, 1822
    Huntington Library and Art Gallery
    San Marino, California
  • Copy D, 1822
    Trinity College
    Hartford, Connecticut
  • Copy E (plate 1 only), 1822
    Collection of Robert N. Essick
    Altadena, California

All Known Related Drawings
  • Twelve Sketches, One for "The Chaining of Orc," Four for "The Ghost of Abel"
    Pencil sketches, c. 1812-22. Butlin 585.
    British Museum
    London