Everything you need to know about William Morris.

William Morris was a British textile designer, poet, artist, novelist, translator and socialist activist. He was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textiles and methods of production.

Morris was born in Walthamstow, Essex, to a wealthy middle-class family. He came under the strong influence of medievalism while studying Classics at Oxford University, there joining the Birmingham Set. After university, he married Jane Burden, and developed close friendships with Neo-Gothic architect Philip Webb.

Webb and Morris designed Red House in Kent where Morris lived from 1859 to 1865, before moving to Bloomsbury, central London. In 1861, Morris founded the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. a decorative arts firm

The firm profoundly influenced interior decoration throughout the Victorian period, with Morris designing tapestries, wallpaper, fabrics, furniture, and stained glass windows.

In 1875, he assumed total control of the company, which was renamed Morris & Co.

During his lifetime, Morris produced items in a range of items including over 600 designs for wall-paper, textiles, embroideries and over 150 stained glass windows.

Today his work lives on and his designs are time less. visit Morris & Co. to see their great range of wallpapers and fabrics.

We have our own range of William Morris print to honour this great man – Poplar Barn William Morris Prints