A Special Presentation by Emma Wise
William Morris, British writer, designer, and political activist, founded the
Kelmscott Press in 1891, producing 53 books over the eight years of the press’s
operation. Morris was a prominent figure of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and
the Arts and Crafts movement, which advocated for social reform within
industrial society and prioritized craftsmanship over mass-produced goods.
For much of his work, including his book designs, Morris found aesthetic
inspiration in works from the Middle Ages. Morris’ concern in creating the
ideal book included all components of book production from typography and
materials to ornaments and illustrations.
During this presentation, Emma Wise will draw on examples of William Morris’
printed books from the Rare Book & Manuscript Library’s collection to
highlight the different components of these materials and discuss the artistic
value of such works within their historical context.
Emma Wise holds a bachelor’s degree in the History of Art and a certificate in
Museum Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They most
recently have earned their master’s in library and information sciences from
the iSchool at Illinois. During their time as graduate students, they have worked
at the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
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