11 4 Morris, William 1834-96 William Morris - Great Buildings Online Page 1 of 2 W Note: favored artist/ designer of Mavy Gray Word DORR. Architect William Morris Great Buildings Search - Advanced Search - Buildings - Architects - Types - Places - 3D Models - Pix - ArchitectureWeek - Store Works Biography William Morris (b. London, England 1834) William Morris was born in Walthamstow, London in 1834. He was educated at Marlborough School and Exeter College, Oxford. He spent a year working for G. E. Street, where he initiated a lifelong friendship with Philip Webb, Street's chief assistant. Recognizing the poor quality of contemporary furnishings and fittings, Morris, helped found the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, & Co. The firm produced furniture, fabrics, wallpapers, and stained glass. A prime mover in the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Morris fought to save buildings from a prevalent, but destructive policy of "restoration". He was the founder and leader of the socialist league, as well as the founder of the Kelmscott Press which specialized in designing lettering and borders, and publishing English literature, both classic and contemporary. Morris considered art "the expression of man's joy in his labour". This principle inspired a generation of disciples. References Dennis Sharp. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-8230-2539-X. NA40.145. p110. Resources Sources on William Morris amazon.com. Find books about William Morris Search the RIBA architecture library catalog for more references on William Morris http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/William_Morris.html 9/3/2003 William Morris (1834-1896) Page 1 of 2 William Morris (1834-1896) il hel in Page from The Glittering Plain Famous as the founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement He was born in Walthamstow, then a village, and moved to a grand residence there called Water House at the age of 14 - this has since become the William Morris Gallery. He studied at Oxford with the intention of becoming a clergyman, but while there he met Edward Coley Burne-Jones, also studying for the church, and they both began to turn towards art. They were persuaded by Rossetti to give up the studies and become artists. Morris did a year in architectural practice of G. E. Street, and then turned to painting. However, he soon found that his metier was design. The cooperative attempt to decorate his new house (the Red House, built by Philip Webb) at Bexleyheath, south east of London, lead to the setting up of the firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co. The partners were Morris, Burne-Jones, Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, Philip Webb, Charles Faulkner, and Peter Paul Marshall, a surveyor. The firm was set up as a 'company of Fine Art Workmen', designing and producing (or at least supervising the production of) furniture, wallpaper, murals, tapestrywork, stained glass windows, metalwork, tapestries, and smaller works such as tiles and embroidery. It started in 8 Lion Square, London, where there was sufficient space for workshops, showrooms, and a kiln in the basement for tile production. The firm later became simply Morris and Co. when Morris - always blessed with a private income - bought out the other partners. Morris's wallpapers were his best-known output, with complex designs incorporating plants, flowers and birds. Morris married Jane Burden, a beautiful model who appears in many Pre-Raphaelite paintings (it is she who sat for nearly all Rossetti's later works). Jane, together with her sister Bessie, did embroideries for Morris's firm. Philip Webb designed much of the furniture, metalwork, and many tiles. For stained glass, Morris generally designed the backgrounds and Burne-Jones drew most of the figures, with Rossetti and Ford Madox Brown also contributing designs. Burne-Jones also collaborated with Morris on tapestries, designed many tiles, and drew for the books produced by the Kelmscott Press, founded by Morris in 1891. Morris was described by Walter Crane as being 'the first to approach the craft of practical printing from the point of view of the artist' The most important book of the Press was the Kelmscott Chaucer, which has been described as the most beautiful book to be produced since the Renaissance. This had typography and borders by Morris, with 87 illustrations by Burne-Jones. Other artists working as designers for the Kelmscott Press included C. M. Gere, Arthur Gaskin, and E. H. New, all from the Birmingham School of Art, and the Birmingham illustrators were in general much influenced by Morris's books. http://www.speel.demon.co.uk/artists/morris.htm 9/3/2003 William Morris (1834-1896) Page 2 of 2 Morris's novels are still readily available from second hand bookshops - they are not in great demand SO do not part with more than a pound - but the Kelmscott Press books are very precious. A complete set is at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, London. The Kelmscott Chaucer has been reproduced in modern times on several occasions, and is often found in remaindered bookshops; I picked up my copy for six pounds. In 1996 there were many large exhibitions of his work, including at the V&A, marking the centenary of his death, and for this reason there are many catalogues and books currently available. Morris left few paintings - a Guinevere and Sir Tristram and Iseult's Dog come to mind - and the former of these is in the Tate Gallery. Most easy to find are Morris's stained glass windows, in many churches up and down the country, and in various museums such as the V & A and in Birmingham. Also widely spread are his wallpaper designs and his tilework. Top of page Illustration // Arts and Crafts // Other artists Home http://www.speel.demon.co.uk/artists/morris.htm 9/3/2003 William Morris Society Page 1 of 3 The MORRIS SOCIETY WEB SITE C his site is devoted to William Morris (1834-96), the British craftsman, designer, writer, typographer, and Socialist. It aims to present news of Morris-related events and publications; information about the worldwide William Morris Society; materials relating to the life and work of Morris, his friends and followers; and links to other places of interest on the Internet. New on the WMS Site: Conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and social gatherings related to William Morris and his circle. Current U. .S. Branch Newsletter About the William Morris Society: Society bylaws, history, and membership directory. The Life and Work of William Morris: Examples of and links to Morris's writings, poetry, and designs. Society Archive: Worldwide announcements (1996 - ) and U.S. newsletters (1988 ). Links to Related Sites: Arts and Crafts, Pre- Raphaelitism, and general Victorian links. Products and Services: Morris-related wallpaper, Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, 1890 needlework kits, booksellers, a bed-and-breakfast, a type foundry, and more! (When you see a new picture, we've updated the web site!) NEW United States (to Mar 2004) United Kingdom (to 7 Nov 2003) 8 Nov 2003 - 4 Apr 2004: "The Beauty of Life": 7 Nov 2003: 2003 KELMSCOTT LECTURE William Morris and the Art of Design, an on "Dreaming London: The Future City in exhibition at the Huntington Library, drawn Morris and Others," by Peter Preston. primarily from the Sanford and Helen Berger Collection. A conference is planned for 31 Oct 2003: "Morris, Shaw, and Politics," December 2003. lecture by David Rainger, 25 Red Lion Square, London. 24 -25 Oct 2003: American Printing History Association (APHA) 27th Annual Conference, 11 Oct 2003: "Morris and Violence: William Grolier Club, New York City. Morris's Views of the Ethics of War," lecture by Florence Boos. 1 Oct 2003 DEADLINE: Articles are invited for the Fall 2003 issue of Green Letters, the 10 Oct 2003: Lecture by Suzanne Fayence journal of the Association for the Study of Cooper on "The Pre-Raphaelites" at the Literature and Environment. Cheltenham Festival (special WMS member discount). 14 - 19 Sep 2003: The historic Roycroft Inn is http://www.morrissociety.org/ 9/3/2003 William Morris Society Page 2 of 3 hosting their 18th Elderhostel program Sept 14- 1 Oct 2003 Deadline: CALL FOR PAPERS: 19, 2003 (for people 55 and over) and has "The Pre-Raphaelite Ideal" conference, Leeds issued a personal invitation especially to Morris Centre for Victorian Studies, Trinity & All Society members. Saints, date TBA 2004. Through 14 Sep 2003: William Morris The 27 Sep 2003: Recital for Clavichord and Flute Reactionary Revolutionary exhibition at the at Kelmscott House. Baltimore Museum of Art. 20 Sep 2003: London Open House Day at JOIN the United States Branch of the Society. Kelmscott House. Canada 13 Sep 2003: The Relevance of William Morris's Socialism, II lecture by Ruth Kinna. URL for the William Morris Society of Canada: http://www.wmsc.ca/ 7 Sep 2003: Garden Party at Kelmscott House. JOIN the Canadian Branch of the Society. 3 - 6 Sep 2003 Whistler Centenary Conference, University of Glasgow. Worldwide 30-31 Aug 2003: "Sitting on the World:" In 7 - 10 July 2005: Conference to celebrate the Memory of Nicholas Salmon University of 50th anniversary of the William Morris Society, Sheffield. Digby Stuart College of the University of Surrey, London. A call for papers will be issued 15 Aug 2003: Visit to Red House. in Fall 2003. JOIN the United Kingdom/Worldwide Branch of the Society. Japan Guide to Kelsmcott House in Japanese (TILL ZISH 11720c). Thanks to Yoshida Ikeda for her translation. C he William Morris Society Founded in London in 1955, the Society aims to make the life and work of Morris and his associates better known. Its programs--which involve affiliated groups in Canada and the United States--include lectures, conferences, tours, museum visits, and social gatherings. A Newsletter is published quarterly (two issues with U.S. supplements) and there is a biannual Journal: both free to members. The Society publishes an array of books and pamphlets dealing with Morris. Statement of Purpose Bylaws Contacts Fellowship Program . Join the WMS Publications C he Life and Work of William Morris A brief biography of William Morris. Designs by Morris: including textiles, wallpapers, book arts, and the Kelmscott Press. Writings by Morris: texts and links to Morris's writings available on the Internet. Information on places associated with Morris and on collections holding his work. Portraits of William Morris and his circle. Books by and about William Morris, including publications of the William Morris Society. A bibliography of William Morris's writings. inks to Related Sites http://www.morrissociety.org/ 9/3/2003 William Morris Society Page 3 of 3 Arts and Crafts movement. Fine printing and book arts. Internet mailing lists. Morris-related products and services. Miscellaneous sites. Victorian links to general resources, journals, art, and literature. 485468 This many people have visited our site since this counter AWARDS WebTracker was activated on 1 Jan 1996. This site is sponsored by the William Morris Society in the United States. Thanks to the Sanderson Company for reproductions of Morris's textile and wallpaper designs, and to the Robinson Center for Graphic Arts and Communication Design of the City University of New York for hosting the site through 30 January 2001. HOME . NEW . EVENTS . NEWSLETTER . SITE ARCHIVE . ABOUT THE SOCIETY MORRIS' LIFE AND WORKS . PRODUCTS . LINKS . SITE MAP . CONTACT US LAST UPDATE 31 JUL 2003 . PLEASE REPORT BROKEN LINKS TO WEBMASTER @ MORRISSOCIETY.ORG http://www.morrissociety.org/ 9/3/2003 William Morris Society: Morris Collections Worldwide Page 1 of 3 WILLIAM MORRIS: PLACES & COLLECTIONS Places where Morris lived and worked Collections holding Morris's works Places where Morris lived and worked Water House (now the William Morris Gallery) [William Morris Gallery web page] Red House Merton Abbey Kelmscott House Kelmscott Manor Information on William Morris collections and sites in the Cotswolds [Cotswolds Hyperguide Home Page] Visits to English Arts and Crafts Landmarks [J. R. Burrows & Co.] Collections holding Morris's works COMPANIES Norwest Corporation Sanderson LIBRARIES NOTE: Some of these links are to descriptions of a general nature. To quickly find Morris information try using the FIND command of your browser and typing in the word "Kelmscott." That usually does the trick. Amherst College special collections http://www.browninglibrary.org/: Armstrong Browning Library, Baylor University Arizona State University library Fitzhardinge Collection, National Library of Australia Bridwell Library, Southern Methodist University, with information on exhibition The Kelmscott Press and its Legacy Bucknell University http://www.morrissociety.org/places.html 9/3/2003 William Morris Society: Morris Collections Worldwide Page 2 of 3 Carey Collection, Rochester Institute of Technology [includes pictures of the Kelmscott Chaucer] Case Western Reserve University special collections Edward Clark Collection, Napier University [history of printing] William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA [general information on collections] Honnold Library, Claremont Colleges Dartmouth College special collections University of Delaware [information on--and picture of--their copy of the Kelmscott Chaucer] Florida State University library University of Florida [Burne-Jones illustrations for Morris's "Cupid and Psyche"] Free Library of Philadelphia rare book department International Institute for Social History, Amsterdam [includes connection to online catalogue], also S section reproducing the William Morris manuscripts in the collection John Rylands Library, University of Manchester [information on Morris exhibition] Book arts at the Library of Congress University of Liverpool Library University of Louisville Library special collections University of Manitoba [Dysart collection] University of Maryland library University of Michigan Library [Web version of exhibition Pursuing the Ideal: The Life and Work of William Morris] University of Missouri special collections University of Notre Dame Library Princeton University special collections [portion of A-Z index; search for "MORRIS"] Denison Library, Scripps College University of Sydney [exhibition described in November 1995 newsletter], also description of Morris holdings in Scandinavian collection Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas Austin [Web version of exhibition William Morris and his Circle] Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand [general information, mentions Morris and Kelmscott Press collections] Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, London [held exhibition William Morris: Book Collector in 1996] Wellesley College Library [Morris-related materials held in English Poetry and Ruskin collections] MUSEUMS Birmingham Museum and City Art Gallery- description of travelling exhibition drawn from the collection, Visions of Love and Life Delaware Art Museum - English Pre-Raphaelite collection Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University - general information and information on prints and drawings http://www.morrissociety.org/places.html 9/3/2003 William Morris Society: Morris Collections Worldwide Page 3 of 3 Manchester City Art Galleries - holds many Pre-Raphaelite works; see their exhibition Pre-Raphaelite Women Artists, November 1997 through February 1998 Pierpont Morgan Library - information on Being William Morris and related exhibitions, 8 May to 1 September 1996 Victoria and Albert Museum William Morris Gallery HOME . NEW . EVENTS . NEWSLETTER . SITE ARCHIVE . ABOUT THE SOCIETY MORRIS' LIFE AND WORKS . PRODUCTS . LINKS . SITE MAP . CONTACT US LAST UPDATE 15 JAN 2002 . PLEASE REPORT BROKEN LINKS TO WEBMASTER@MORRISSOCIETY.ORG http://www.morrissociety.org/places.html 9/3/2003