The Life of William Morris

This biography was undertaken by me at the special request of Sir Edward Burne-Jones. I will not attempt to say how much it owes to his guidance and encouragement, nor how much it has lost by their removal.

When the task of writing the life of Morris was placed in my hands, his family and representatives gave me un-reserved access to all the materials in their possession. To them, and more especially to his executors, Mr. F. S. Ellis and Mr. S. C. Cockerell, I owe my best thanks for their friendly help. I am further indebted to Mr. Ellis for the index at the end of the book.

Among the few survivors of Morris's earliest friends, I must express very special obligations to Mr. Cormell Price for generous and ungrudging assistance, and to the Rev. Canon R. W. Dixon. For information as to later years I am greatly indebted to Mr. Philip Webb, Mr. George Wardle, Mr. C. Fairfax Murray, Mr. William De Morgan, and Mr. Emery Walker, who were all long and closely associated with him both in work and in friendship. Messrs. Smith of the firm of Morris & Co., and Mr. J. H. Dearie, the manager of the firm's works at Merton Abbey, have given me access to the early books of the firm and much valuable information with regard to Morris's conduct of the business.

I would take this opportunity of thanking all those others who have communicated letters or other material to me in the course of the work. To Lady Burne-Jones, whose share in the help given me has not been less than that of any one I have named, this is not the place where I can fully express my gratitude,

6, Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. 24th March, 1899.

During the last weeks he was attended, beyond his own family, by the untiring devotion of his friends. Miss Mary De Morgan [aged 46] brought to this last service all the skill born of long experience, and the intelligent sympathy of an affection which Morris had for many years cordially returned. Sir Edward [aged 63] and Lady Burne Jones [aged 56], Mr. Webb, and Mr. Ellis were with him almost daily. Mr. Cockerell was ceaseless in his zeal and care; and Mr, Emery Walker nursed him with the patience and tenderness of a woman. On the morning of Saturday the 3rd of October [1896], between eleven and twelve o'clock, he died quietly and without visible suffering.