William
Morris (1834 - 1896) was an English writer, painter, designer,
printer, and one of the great Victorian social reformers.
Looking to medieval traditions to restore art as an integral
part of human well-being and progress, he believed beauty
could be found in utility. In 1861, William Morris founded
Morris & Co. to make furniture, carvings, fabric, tapestries,
stained glass, and wallpaper. The first Morris Chair, though
not actually designed by William Morris himself, was made
by Morris & Company about 1866. It can be seen in period
photos of Morris's home-- in ebonized oak with cushioned armrests,
its spindles turned as though they were strings of beads.
Morris Chairs are the royal ancestors of all "recliners"
such as those made by LaZboy. |