The Life and Work of May Morris

Overshadowed in her lifetime by the achievements of her illustrious father, today May Morris is recognised as a leading figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement. She was Head of Embroidery at Morris & Co. at the age of 23. May also designed wallpapers, made jewellery and was a talented amateur watercolour artist. She was instrumental in founding the Women’s Guild of Arts, with the aim of supporting women working in the arts and crafts field at a time when they were excluded from similar organisations. May spent her later years editing the 24 volumes of her father's collected works. Fiona Rose has been lecturing about topics she feels passionately about since 2010 including William Morris and his circle, the Arts & Crafts Movement, Frida Kahlo and Frank Lloyd Wright. She has a BA in Social Psychology and aims to include the human story behind the artistic endeavours of her subjects. After an early career in public health Fiona founded and runs a home interiors business featuring the work of the great 19th century designers such as Morris, Dearle, Voysey and Mackintosh. Fiona is a member of the museum Collections committee for The William Morris Society where she served as a Trustee. She is also a contributor to the Society’s Magazine and Journal of William Morris Studies. Fiona is a volunteer Tour Guide with the Arts & Crafts gem The David Parr House.