Morris was born in Walthamstow, Essex, to a wealthy middle-class family. His literary contributions helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, while he helped win acceptance of socialism in fin de siècle Great Britain. He was a major contributor to the revival of traditional British textile arts and methods of production.

William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was a British textile designer, poet, artist, novelist, printer, translator and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement.