William Morris
English designer, poet, writer and socialist (1834–1896) of the Arts and Crafts movement; founded the Kelmscott Press.
At a glance
Main ideas
Useful or beautiful, Craft over industry, Revolutionary socialism …
See all 4Books to start with
The Earthly Paradise, A Dream of John Ball, Signs of Change: Lectures on Socialism …
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John Ruskin and Karl Marx
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Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Morris was an English textile designer, poet, artist, writer and socialist activist, associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.
- In 1861 he co-founded the decorative arts firm that became Morris & Co., designing wallpaper, fabrics, tapestries, furniture and stained glass.
- His novels, among them News from Nowhere, helped establish modern fantasy.
- After reading Henry George, Alfred Russel Wallace and Karl Marx in the 1880s he became a revolutionary socialist, and founded the Socialist League in 1884.
- In 1891 he founded the Kelmscott Press.
Why it matters
- He is recognised as one of the most significant cultural figures of Victorian Britain, and his designs are still in production.
Key facts
- Born
- 24 Mar 1834, Elm House, Walthamstow, Essex1
- Died
- 3 Oct 1896, of tuberculosis, at Kelmscott House; buried at Kelmscott1
- Education
- Classics at Oxford, where he joined the Birmingham Set1
- Married
- Jane Burden1
- Firm
- Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (1861), under his sole control as Morris & Co. from 18751
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
- Founded it in 1877, against damage done by restoration1
- Commonweal
- Edited the Socialist League's newspaper for six years from 18851
Main ideas
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Useful or beautiful1
"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
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Craft over industry1
Return to hand-craftsmanship, raise artisans to artists, and make art affordable, with no hierarchy of media.
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Revolutionary socialism1
A sceptic of industrial capitalism, he campaigned for revolutionary socialism until he accepted parliamentary socialism in 1896.
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Protecting old buildings1
Ancient buildings should be protected from damaging restoration.
Books to start with
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Connections
Links
Sources
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