Books By Theme (BBT): William Morris

William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement. Morris wrote and published poetry, fiction, and translations of ancient and medieval texts throughout his life. His best-known works include The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems, The Earthly Paradise, A Dream of John Ball and the utopian News from Nowhere. He was an important figure in the emergence of socialism in Britain, founding the Socialist League in 1884, but breaking with the movement over goals and methods by the end of that decade. He devoted much of the rest of his life to the Kelmscott Press, which he founded in 1891. The 1896 Kelmscott edition of the Works of Geoffrey Chaucer is considered a masterpiece of book design. - From Wikipedia

I recently read Sanderson: The Essence of English Decoration which mentions the fact that Arthur Sanderson purchased some Morriss prints. My review of that gorgeous book is right here.

Right now I'm reading The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt. The book covers the period between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century and two of the main story lines are about a writer and an artist. Morris and his wallpapers and furniture are mentioned throughout and he is also mentioned at one point as having made his last speech for the Socialist League shortly before dying. I'll review that book soon and come back to provide the link when I do.

I would love to find great art books about Morris and since he was such an influential figure, he must be mentioned in a great number of books about various artists.

Ilana, I could not resist this thread because, as you know, I am reading The Children's Book. Coinicidentally, today I printed out the Wikipedia article on Morris. Before reading TCB my only knowledge of William Morris was as a textile designer and artist.

A few years ago, I read The Wayward Muse by Elizabeth Hickey. The main character was Jane Burden, who posed for Morris's 'Queen Guinivere' and many paintings by Rossetti. She was Morris's wife (and Rossetti's lover, even after the marriage). Obviously, Morris is an important figure in the novel.

When Linda is well enough to be back on the boards, I'm sure she'll have tons of books to add here. She's an even bigger Pre-Raphaeilte fan than I am. (See the painting of Ophelia on my profile page.)

#3 Amanda, same thing here, I knew that he was a textile designer and artist and also that he was very influential in the Arts and Crafts movement, but had no idea about his other activities. Seems like he was quite the Renaissance man!

#4 Deborah, I had noticed the painting on your profile page before. Beautiful! I've always enjoyed the Pre-Raphaelites, but can't say I'm a connoisseur in any way and wouldn't mind delving into that movement and that period of time more. I don't want to seem insensitive but since I'm still relatively new here, I'm not exactly sure which Linda you're referring to. I have seen mention of health problems on a few threads but have to admit I've not yet managed to put a 'face' to everyone so still having trouble putting names and screen names together...

He is one of the earliest writers of what became modern fantasy:
The Water of the Wondrous Isles
The Wood Beyond the World
The Well at the World's End, Volume I
The Well at the World's End, Volume II
The Sundering Flood
Three Works

He really was a Renaissance man. He designed and oversaw every scrap of furniture in his house, The Red House. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-redhouse but he had to give it up because of financial problems.

It was Morris who gave us the axiom “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".

ETA: I couldn't resist adding this quotation of his: “If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful House; and if I were further asked to name the production next in importance and the thing next to be longed for; I should answer; A beautiful Book. To enjoy good houses and good books in self-respect and decent comfort, seems to me to be the pleasurable end towards which all societies of human beings ought now to struggle.”

Linda = Whisper from PA (and I think there's a number after her name).

#7 tiffin, very interesting post. I have read, in The Children's Book I believe that he did write fantasy, which was very popular in his day. His Red House must be a wonderful place to visit. In Byatt's book, there is a socialist/anarchist character who criticizes Morris and his fans for being elitist and not affordable by the masses, and I believe his axiom is mentioned in that context also. However it's interesting to me on a personal note that as designers, we are always taught to think that way, i.e. the importance of form AND function and that I became a designer in part because of my early influence and admiration for Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, albeit my understanding of the full extent of their activities was and still remains rather limited. I hope to remedy to that in future. Love the quote you're added as well!

#8 Deborah, I thought it might be Whisper1, but just wanted to be sure. I certainly look forward to her input here.

The Pre-Raphaelites and Their World: A Personal View is a very interesting read and has a little bit about William Morris in it. I have The Children's Book somewhere around here waiting to be read.

Thanks Tiffin for the list of Morris' fantasy works - brought back memories. I read most of them in my late teens, and for me one of the best bits of reading The Children's Book recently was the recurrence of characters reading those and other Morris works when they were more or less 'hot off the Kelmscott press' - I'd not thought of them for years and rarely heard anyone mention them.

I've just posted my review of The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt ★★★★ (review)

You are most welcome, gennyt. There might be more but those are the ones sitting here on my shelves. I must read that Byatt book...it is sitting here somewhere (as with Tanglewood). My interest in Morris came out of my interest in the Arts and Crafts movement too, Smiler69.

ETA: I treated myself to Beth Russell's William Morris Needlepoint a few years ago but haven't done any yet.

>13 tiffin: Ha! I have her Arts and Crafts Needlepoint but also haven't done anything from it.

Such beautiful things to make with needlepoint! If only I didn't already have so many hobbies... but one day I'll take it up and these William Morris designs are a great motivation to get started!

Oh, I am in heaven! A thread discussing the Pre-Raphaelites...My heart is beating rapidly, even now after ablation surgery.

I'll be back to write more later.

Thanks for dropping by Linda. We don't want you getting overexcited however, so come back in your own time. We'll gladly wait for your input.

Here are some recommendations regarding books about the Pre Raphaelites that include William Morris

http://www.librarything.com/work/142866/book/25717469
http://www.librarything.com/work/6894/book/26254385
http://www.librarything.com/work/124474/book/26254840
http://www.librarything.com/work/3689/26352709
http://www.librarything.com/work/8005795/book/57831218

This is fun too:
William Morris by Himself by Gillian Naylor

Oh Tui...how exciting! A book I haven't read re. a Pre-Raphaelite artist.

On the pile it goes.

Linda, I knew you'd love this thread! Glad to see your recommendations.

#18 Thanks for the recommendations Linda. I just wonder how come the links don't work since I though http addresses automatically create links in messages. Hmmm.

#19 Looks interesting too. Did you notice the book cover image is the same as one of the two I posted in the first message?