William Morris: A Giant Of The Arts & Crafts Movement
Artist, writer, poet, political activist and perhaps Luddite, William Morris was a renaissance man of the 19th century and a total dude!
William Morris (1834–1896) was an English designer, poet, novelist, and social activist, best known for his role in the Arts and Crafts Movement. Born in Walthamstow, London, Morris was educated at Oxford where he developed a passion for medievalism and Gothic architecture. After studying at the University of Oxford he turned to the decorative arts and founded the design firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861. The company produced finely crafted furniture, stained glass, textiles, and wallpapers, often inspired by nature and medieval themes.
Morris's work emphasized craftsmanship and the beauty of handmade goods, opposing the mass-produced products of the Industrial Revolution. His designs, such as the iconic "Willow Bough" wallpaper and "Red House" in Bexleyheath (his home), became symbols of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which advocated for a return to traditional, artisanal methods of production.
In addition to his design work Morris was a prolific writer. He produced poetry, including his famous epic The Earthly Paradise, as well as prose works such as the utopian novel News from Nowhere which criticized the capitalist society of his time and envisioned a socialist, pastoral future.
Morris was also an active political figure advocating for socialism and labor rights, and was a founding member of the Socialist League. His legacy is that of a polymath who sought to merge art, design, and social values in a way that celebrated both beauty and equality.
We here at Paper Kite Design have curated some of his art and applied it to useful products like mugs, stainless tumblers, phone cases and tote bags. We hope you find this as interesting as we do and that you take a moment to browse some of our William Morris Collection of products. https://paperkitegraphicdesign.com/search?q=William+Morris&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
