William Morris

"The essays have two main foci: the revaluation of Morris in the context of his own time, and the revaluation of his legacy. The strength of the book as a whole is that it answers to those two concerns admirably well. The editors risked analytical depth in deciding to print so many (eighteen) essays touching not just on, say, Morris's literary accomplishments, but also on his work as a designer, as a politician, and as a businessman. But here too, the book succeeds, because nearly all of the essays are grounded by one overarching issue: Morris's own relationship to history. These pieces are concerned not only with his interest in the past, but also with his vigorous engagement with his historical present." (Utopian Studies, 30 June 2000) "This is a challenging volume of essays which will no doubt further encourage Morrisian studies as we approach the new millennium. The editors, and the University of Exeter Press, are to be congratulated for producing such a fitting tribute to one of the greatest men of the Victorian age." (Journal of the William Morris Society, Vol. XIII, No. 3, Autumn 1999) "William Morris: Centenary Essays should be regarded by Morrisian scholars as an essential source, now and for many years to come. The scope, variety and mostly high-sometimes outstanding-quality of the essays make it worthy of wider attention too. Expertly edited and attractively produced, moreover, the actual book truly befits its subject. Peter Faulkner, Peter Preston and the University of Exeter Press deserve congratulations and thanks." (The David Jones Journal, 1999)