About the William Morris Society
The William Morris Society aims to perpetuate the memory of one of the greatest men of the Victorian or any age. The life, work and ideas of William Morris (1834-1896) are as important today as they were in his lifetime. The Society exists to make them as widely known as possible.
The variety of Morris’s ideas and activities bring together those who are interested in him as a designer, craftsman, poet, and socialist, who admire his robust and generous personality, his creative energy and his courage. His ideas on how we live and how we might live, on creative work, leisure and machinery, on ecology and conservation, on the place of arts in our lives and in relation to politics remain as challenging now as they were over a century ago.
The Society, established in 1955, publishes a Journal, Newsletter and commentaries on all aspects of his work and runs a varied and interesting series of talks and visits throughout the year. It encourages the re-publication of Morris’s works and the continued manufacture of his textile and wallpaper designs.
The Society’s office and museum are in the basement and Coach House of Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, Morris’s London home for the last eighteen years of his life. During this time he ran the his manufacturing company, Morris and Co., at Merton Abbey, the Kelmscott Press in nearby houses and organised the Socialist League and later the Hammersmith Socialist Society, holding meetings in the Coach House. Today the Society’s talks and other events are held in the Coach House, see our Events page for details.
Membership of the Society is open to all, whatever their interests. Please see the membership page for more information
The William Morris Society in the United States maintains close ties with its British counterpart, though it holds separate events and issues additional mailings. U. S. residents who join the US Morris Society are automatically enrolled in the UK Morris Society. For more information, see the websites of the William Morris Society in the US and the William Morris Society of Canada.
Useful links
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
The society William Morris wanted to create - site in Japanese featuring translated essays about Morris.
Friends of Saint Michael and all Angels, Brighton
Purchase Membership Online
You can purchase annual or life membership using paypal on this website. If you would like to set up a standing order please download and complete the membership form below.
US residents are asked to join the William Morris Society in the United States. For a US membership form, see US Society Membership Page
Membership Form
Please return the form to:
The Membership Secretary
The William Morris Society
Kelmscott House, 26 Upper Mall
Hammersmith, London, W6 9TA
