William Morris
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In 1996 over half-a-million people visited the Victoria and Albert's William Morris exhibition which recognised the centenary of his death. That such a man - known best in his own time as a poet - should attract so many people begs the question as to what it was about Morris that has kept him in the public eye for so long. Poet, decorative artist, socialist, businessman, he seems to have something for everyone. His reputation in any of these areas may go up and down but, though many of his most illustrious contemporaries - some clearly more talented in one or other of these areas - have disappeared from the public eye, he has remained as someone who represents the Victorian period to new generations. When he died it was said of him that the cause was 'simply that of being William Morris and having done the work of ten men. He was an enthusiast in everything he did; a seeker after perfection; and a man whose curiousity and commitment kept moving him onto new trachs and challenges. There was much about him that was odd - a violent temper and social awkwardness, for example - but he always found himself at the centre of things, able to move into new circles and to surround himself with very talented people. It would be wrong to see him at the centre of a single circle but as a mover through various.
Biography: some dates | The Poet | The Decorative Artist | The Socialist | The Businessman | The Family Man |