William Morris

 William Morris by Frederick, 1887

He was born in Walthamstow on the 22^nd of March 1834; he was the third child and the eldest son of William Morris.  His mother was Emma Morris, the daughter of Joseph Shelton; he was a teacher of music in Worcester. In his childhood Morris was very studios but alone and didn’t want anyone to bother him, he learnt to read at an early age, he was 4 years old and he used to like to read the Waverly novels. His family moved to Woodford hall when he was six. There another world opened for him because he began to play with nature and had a lot of adventures. He continued reading and he used to love to read on the Arabian nights and  designs in the book Gerald’s Herbal. He studied at home with his sisters until he was 9 and then he was sent to the Walthamstow School.  He had a sister which she was born in 1842 and was named Isabella. She grew and began to take interests in church. When he was thirteen his father died and left them with a big house and very wealthy .They moved to another house in 1848 because the other one was too big, the house was called Water house. By this time Morris entered Marlborough College.  He stayed three years at this school but he didn’t learn much because his taste was always architecture. In 1851 he was removed and was sent to live as a pupil at the forest school and he had to prepare for university.

 In 1852 he entered Exeter College, Oxford. At that time the college was full and he didn’t have where to stay, he went in January in 1853. In this school he met Edward Burne Jones who became his friend. He joined the Birmingham group at Pembroke college were the brother hood began; together they studied history and theology, medieval poetry and visited churches and cathedrals. He was inspired by the painting of the Pre-Raphaelites.  He began to study Ruskin’s books and style and understanding his philosophy. By this time he was inspired by Ruskin he began to write poetry. Morris and Jones went to Oxford with the intention to study what they are given but it wasn’t what they wanted so they decided to put their energy in art and history. Morris decided to become an architect. A magazine was in the process of being done to make social articles, poems and short stories. In 1856 they both passed their finals and they issued their magazine which was called the oxford and Cambridge magazine in New Year ’s Day.   He was studying and working with Philip Web and developed a good friendship in his offices. He worked with him for nine months, first at Oxford and after in London. Rossetti convinced Morris that he was a better painter than an architect and after he focused on painting. In the summer he painted the Oxford Union hall.

Morris become engaged in 1858 and got married at the Northgate Oxford on the 26^th April 1859. His paintings were mostly of his wife Jane Burden. They had two daughters Jane and Mary, Jane Alice was born in 1861 who developed epilepsy in her teens and Mary who became the editor of her father’s work , a designer and a craftswomen. Jane his wife had a long affair with Rossetti who she used to pose for. Their happiness of their marriage served 10 years but they still stayed together until Morris death. He died in October 3^rd in 1896 in London.

 Jane Morris painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti as prosper pine.

 He was an English textiles designer, artist, writer and a libertarian. He was associated with the brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites and in the English ART and Craft movement. Edward Burne jones, poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Morris created a design firm with partnership with them. His firm influenced the decoration of the churches and houses in the early 20^th century. He was also a major part of revival of textile Art and the methods of production.

 He wrote and published poetry and translations of ancient and medieval texts. He was important in social figure of the Britain.

Bibliography: William Morris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. William Morris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris. [Accessed 01 April 2013].

Jane Morris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Jane Morris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Morris. [Accessed 01 April 2013].