C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
William Morris (1834–1896)
Morris, William. A celebrated English poet, and writer on socialism; born near London, 1834; died at Hammersmith, Oct. 3, 1896. Having studied painting, he became a designer and manufacturer of artistic household furniture, wallpaper, stained glass, etc. (1863). In later life he took great interest in social questions, was a leader in the Socialist League, and contributed to the Commonwealth. His chief poetical work was ‘The Story of Sigurd’ (1876). He wrote besides in verse: ‘Defence of Guenevere, and Other Poems’ (1858); ‘Life and Death of Jason’ (1867); ‘The Earthly Paradise’ (1868–70); ‘Love Is Enough’ (1872); ‘Poems by the Way’ (1892); etc. Translations of the Æneid (1876), the Odyssey (1887), and ‘Beowulf’ (1895); and ‘The House of the Wolfings’ (1889), ‘The Roots of the Mountains’ (1890), etc., represent his prose work. He also published ‘Hopes and Fears for Art’ (1882), five lectures; ‘Signs of Change’ (1888), a socialistic book; and others. (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).