The Collected Works of William Morris. With Introductions by His Daughter May Morris. Volume 20. The Water of the Wondrous Isles

The son of an Essex businessman, Morris initially dreamed of entering the church, but became disgusted upon reading the social criticism of Carlysle and Ruskin. Turning to art, Morris started a staining glass company in the 1860s, and later moved into print with his successful Kelmsford Press Co. Not content to only print the works of others, Morris became a popular writer and activist as well. When not preparing his popular classical and Icelandic translations, Morris worked ardently a propagandist for the socialist cause.