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.