William Morris

Born on March 24, 1834, William Morris was a writer, artist, and most importantly for us today, a textile designer. In 1861 he founded a successful firm in partnership with poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti and artist Edward Burne-Jones, amongst others, that continues to this day to produce the highest-quality fabrics and wall coverings. His designs influenced many of the designs of the churches and houses of the early 20th century; even today, wallpapers and fabrics are still sold with his distinctive, ‘English’ heritage designs. Not content with merely being the foremost graphic designer of his time, Morris also wrote: his best-known works include ‘The Earthly Paradise’ (1870) and ‘A Dream of John Ball’ (1888). He was also a socialist, a prominent figure in early English socialism and founder of England's Socialist League in 1884. Born to wealthy parents, he was sent to Marlborough college at the age of 14, then entered Exeter College in 1853 to read theology, as he intended to be a priest. It was during this time that he met Edward Burne-Jones, who was taking Holy Orders at the same college. Burne-Jones would later become one of the most revered Pre-Raphaelite artists; he and Morris remained close friends for life. Today, William Morris and Co still produce wallpaper and fabric designs inspired by Morris and have a distinctly English flavour and appeal. With outlets all over England, most of Europe, and indeed the rest of the world, these designs are sought after by many rich and famous celebrities. In today's world, in which fashion can change in the blink of an eye, a William Morris design is timeless, unique, and above all, original.