William Morris was born in Walthamstow, London in 1834. He was educated at Marlborough School and Exeter College, Oxford. He spent a year working for G. E. Street, where he initiated a lifelong friendship with Philip Webb, Street's chief assistant. Recognizing the poor quality of contemporary furnishings and fittings, Morris, helped found the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, & Co. The firm produced furniture, fabrics, wallpapers, and stained glass.
A prime mover in the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Morris fought to save buildings from a prevalent, but destructive policy of "restoration". He was the founder and leader of the socialist league, as well as the founder of the Kelmscott Press which specialized in designing lettering and borders, and publishing English literature, both classic and contemporary.
Morris considered art "the expression of man's joy in his labour". This principle inspired a generation of disciples.