William Morris, Designer, Novelist, Socialist and Artist

4 English Trailblazers Who Changed the World

When William Morris died, his doctor described the cause of death as “simply being William Morris and having done more work than most ten men”. Few people have packed as much into life as he did. In the Victorian era he was best known as a poet, but today he is remembered for his wallpapers, furniture, textiles, stained glass and tiles, and his designs are found all over the world.

Meet a man of charm and unpredictability, of great human sympathy and knowledge, a man whose legacy is alive and well in our world today.

Monday, 27 March 2023, 5-6pm (AEST)

Morris has exerted a powerful influence on thinking about art and design over the past century. He has been the constant niggle in the conscience. How can we combat all this luxury and waste? What drove him into revolutionary activism was his anger and shame at the injustices within society. He burned with guilt at the fact that his ‘good fortune only’ allowed him to live in beautiful surroundings and to pursue the work he adored.”
– Fiona MacCarthy

A towering figure in Victorian Britain

Morris’s personal life was not always happy – he had to share his wife with a close friend, Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Discover how this man, born into middle class affluence, became a staunch revolutionary and an atheist. See how he pre-dated Marie Kondo in his belief that one should “have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”. Learn how he encouraged women to enter his employment, how he regenerated traditional crafts, and why he is considered “the single most important figure in textile production”.

Few people have packed as much into life as this artist, poet, novelist (he helped established the fantasy genre), textile designer, craftsman, socialist (he founded the Socialist League in 1884), translator, conservationist (he founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) and printer. As a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, he established a decorative arts firm which became fashionable. His designs are found all over the world. He was a towering figure in Victorian Britain and today a William Morris Society cares for his legacy. Two of his former homes are museums.

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Register for all four lectures in the series in one easy purchase, and save money too. Get all 4 for $70. Please see here.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the Zoom live stream. Access to a carefully recorded and completely edited video of the talk will automatically be sent to registered attendees within 24 hours. So, you’ll still have the experience of being part of an audience and having the best seat in the house.

100% guaranteed. If you don’t feel my talk is great value for money, please let me know why and I will refund your purchase price.

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Just $20 (AU). Buy it now – you’ll receive access details by return email.

Thank you again for the wonderful series you did on zoom last year. Really enjoyed the intellectual input during the lockdown.
David

Thank you for your fabulous videos full of amazing information.

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