William Morris
Artist, Writer, Socialist

This two-volume work, first published in 1936, illuminates the artistic, literary and political passions of a Victorian polymath.

May Morris (Author), George Bernard Shaw (Author)

9781108054621, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 October 2012

706 pages, 2 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.9 cm, 1.02 kg

A tireless champion of her father William, and a gifted designer and craftswoman in her own right, Mary (May) Morris (1862–1938) had a unique insight into his extraordinary career and creativity. It was she who undertook the exacting task of editing the twenty-four volumes of her father's collected works (also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection). In 1936, towards the end of her life, she published this supplementary two-volume work, which includes further writings and sympathetic commentary, revealing 'the development of a mind which was singularly of one piece, however many-sided'. Volume 2 addresses William Morris' political aims and ideals. Opening with the essay 'Morris as I Knew Him' by George Bernard Shaw, it includes May's substantial assessment of her father's socialism, along with many previously unpublished examples of his output of lectures, articles and letters on the subject. Also included is the index to the entire collected works.

Morris as I knew him G. B. Shaw
Part I. Introductory: 1. The background: country life
2. The background: the revolt against laissez-faire
Part II. Modern Socialism: 3. Hopes and fears
4. The beginnings of modern socialism
5. Early days as a socialist
6. Morris as a lecturer
7. The founding of the Socialist League
8. New lectures
9. Free speech in London
10. The aftermath
Part III. Politics and Socialism: 11. Commonweal notes
12. Socialism and anarchism
13. Socialism comes into politics
Lectures, articles and letters by William Morris
Appendices
Index to the complete works.

Subject Areas: The arts: general issues [AB]