William Morris

William Morris was the central figure of the arts and crafts movement.  He was a writer, designer, reformer, and poet.  Morris founded a company with Philip Webb.  It later became Morris and Company.


William Morris made many designs for fabrics, wallpapers, and graphics, which were based on nature.  His company started to produce wallpapers in 1862.  The greatest long lasting source for their company was flat patterns for textiles and wallpapers.

One of the more popular chairs is the Morris Chair.  It is a wooden armchair, which was probably designed by others employed by Morris and Company.  It was based off of inexpensive chairs and made with unattached cushions.  This chair was most useful as porch furniture.

Overall, Morris was a very successful designer.  Morris and Company really thrived off of their Gothic Revival style.  Gothic Revival churches always had stained glass windows.  Stained glass actually became one of the firm's specialities.  He often worked with other painters and craftsmen.  Morris promoted the close relationship between art and craft.

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