Late nineteenth century English architect, designer and typographer, leader of that revival of medieval form, the Arts and Crafts Movement, and — like
Eric Gill — a socialist-craftsman.
In 1891 he set up his Kelmscott Press, with the aim of “producing some [books] which would have a definite aim of beauty, while they should be easy to read and not dazzle the eye.” Referring to books of the fifteenth century, he noted: “they were always beautiful by force of mere typography, even without added ornament, with which many of them are lavishly supplied.” Morris’s books certainly supply the ornament lavishly. Today Kelmscott editions are among the most sought after by collectors.
