The Kelmscott Press and Morris' final years: 1889–96 William Morris

morris (right) burne-jones, 1890

the work of morris & co. continued during morris final years, producing array of stained glass windows designed burne-jones , 6 narrative tapestry panels depicting quest holy grail stanmore hall, shropshire. morris influence on britain s artistic community became increasingly apparent art workers guild founded in 1884, although @ time preoccupied socialist activism pay attention. although proposal faced opposition, morris elected guild in 1888, , elected position of master in 1892. morris did not offer initial support arts , crafts exhibition society, changed opinion after success of first exhibit, held in regents street in october 1888. giving lectures on tapestries group, in 1892 elected president. @ time, morris re-focused attentions on spab campaigning; causes championed including preservation of st. mary s church in oxford, blythburgh church in suffolk, peterborough cathedral, , rouen cathedral.

although socialist activism had decreased, remained involved hammersmith socialist society, , in october 1891 oversaw creation of short-lived newsletter, hammersmith socialist record. coming oppose factionalism within socialist movement, sought rebuild relationship sdf, appearing guest lecturer @ of events, , supporting sdf candidate george lansbury when stood in wandsworth by-election of february 1894. in 1893 hammersmith socialist society co-founded joint committee of socialist bodies representatives of sdf , fabian society; morris helped draw manifesto of english socialists . offered support far left activists on trial, including number of militant anarchists violent tactics nevertheless denounced. began using term communism first time, stating communism in fact completion of socialism: when ceases militant , becomes triumphant, communism. in december 1895 gave final open-air talk @ stepniak s funeral, spoke alongside prominent far left activists eleanor marx, kier hardie, , errico malatesta. liberated internal factional struggles, retracted anti-parliamentary position , worked socialist unity, giving last public lecture in january 1896 on subject of 1 socialist party.

in december 1888, chiswick press published morris house of wolfings, fantasy story set in iron age europe provides reconstructed portrait of lives of germanic-speaking gothic tribes. contained both prose , aspects of poetic verse. sequel, roots of mountains, followed in 1890. on coming years publish string of other poetic works; story of glittering plain (1890), wood beyond world (1894), @ world s end (1896), water of wondrous isles (1897) , sundering flood (1898). embarked on translation of anglo-saxon tale, beowulf; because not understand old english, poetic translation based largely on produced a.j. watts. on publication, morris beowulf critically panned. following death of sitting poet laureate of great britain , ireland, alfred, lord tennyson, in october 1892, morris offered position, turned down, disliking associations monarchy , political establishment; instead position went alfred austin.

morris design kelmscott press trademark

in january 1891, morris began renting cottage near kelmscott house, no. 16 upper mall in hammersmith, serve first premises of kelmscott press, before relocating neighbouring no. 14 in may, same month in company founded. devoted production of books deemed beautiful, morris artistically influenced illustrated manuscripts , printed books of medieval , modern europe. before publishing first work, morris ensured had mastered techniques of printing , secured supplies of hand-made paper , vellum necessary production. on next 7 years, publish 66 volumes. first of these 1 of morris own novels, story of glittering plain, published in may 1891 , sold out. kelmscott press go on publish 23 of morris books, more of other author. press published editions of works keats, shelley, ruskin, , swinburne, copies of various medieval texts. number of press books contained illustrations provided burne-jones. press magnum opus kelmscott chaucer, had taken years complete , included 87 illustrations burne-jones. morris still remained firmly in employer relation working @ press, although organised outings them , paid them above average wages.

by 1890s, morris increasingly ill , living largely invalid; aside gout, exhibited signs of epilepsy. in august 1891, took daughter jenny on tour of northern france visit medieval churches , cathedrals. in england, spent increasing amount of time @ kelmscott manor. seeking treatment prominent doctor william broadbent, prescribed holiday in coastal town of folkestone. in december 1894 devastated upon learning of mother s death; had been 90 years old. in july 1896, went on cruise norway construction engineer john carruthers, during visited vadsö , trondheim; during trip physical condition deteriorated , began experiencing hallucinations. returning kelmscott house, became complete invalid, being visited friends , family, before dying of tuberculosis on morning of 4 october 1896. obituaries appearing throughout national press reflected @ time, morris recognised poet. mainstream press obituaries trivialised or dismissed involvement in socialism, although socialist press focused largely on aspect of career. funeral held on 6 october, during corpse carried hammersmith paddington rail station, transported oxford, , there kelmscott, buried in churchyard of st. george s church.