William Morris

William Morris (1834-1896) was an English textile designer, poet, artist, writer, and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts movement. He founded Morris & Co. in 1861 to revive traditional craftsmanship against industrialization, producing designs for textiles, wallpaper, furniture, and stained glass. His literary works, including epic poems like The Earthly Paradise and utopian novels like News from Nowhere, helped establish the modern fantasy genre while he campaigned for socialism.