In the 1800's, William Morris was an influential English writer, a socialist reformer, an artist, a printer, and designer

In the 1800's, William Morris was an influential English writer, a socialist reformer, an artist, a printer, and designer. Morris hoped to revive tapestry weaving as a fine art, along with the hand printing of books, furniture-making and other crafts. In 1861, he founded Morris & Co., which was made up of decorators, architects, and artists. This group created the first reclining chair for Morris, and named it the Morris chair, an item that has remained popular to this day.

He was born in Walthamstow, Essex on March 24, 1834. After graduating from Exeter College in Oxford, Morris originally intended to take religious orders, but after readings criticisms by socialists Thomas Carlyle, Charles Kingsley and John Ruskin, he reconsidered joining the Church and instead devoted his life to art.

In the 1860's, Morris decided to focus on the decorative arts. His designing career began when he decorated the Red House in Bexleyheath, which was built for him by architect, Phillip Web. This successful venture led to the formation of the Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (later renamed Morris & Co.), where they created furniture, carvings, fabric, tapestries, stained glass, and wallpaper. This company was best known for its stained glass which can be found in churches throughout Britain. The first Morris Chair was not designed by William Morris, but was created by Morris & Co. around 1866. It featured ebonized oak with cushioned armrests and spindles that looked more like strings of beads.

The design of a Morris Chair features a seat with a reclining back and high armrests, which give the chair an authentic look. Many modifications have been made to the original design since it's introduction until this day. While the first design looked to have more of a Victorian influence, it is best known as part of the Arts & Crafts style. This is due to the revisions made by Gustav Stickley who later updated and further popularized the design. Modern manufacturers made further modifications eventually leading up to modern recliners, like those sold by LazyBoy.

William Morris entered national politics in 1876. His first position was as a treasurer of the Eastern Question Association and then also held the same position under the National Liberal League and the Radical Union. After becoming disillusioned with the Liberals, Morris joined the Socialist Democratic Federation. However, after disagreeing with the leader, H.M. Hyndman, he formed the Socialist League and later the Hammersmith Socialist Society. He became a very active propagandist for the socialist cause, giving hundreds of lectures and speeches throughout the country. After the socialist movement died down, his organization was passed onto a group of anarchists and Morris formally withdrew in 1890.

Morris then went on to produce improved printing and book design when he founded the Kelmscott Press at Hammersmith, London in 1891. From the selection of paper and ink to his overall integration of type and decorations on a page, his traditional methods of printing and craftsmanship also ran in line with the Arts & Crafts movement. His Kelmscott House in Hammersmith was his last home. Morris died there on October 3, 1896.

Posted in: Design