Resources

William Morris Gallery’s library and archive contain a wide range of specialist publications, rare books and manuscript material relating to William Morris, the Arts and Crafts Movement, nineteenth-century decorative arts, and the artist Frank Brangwyn.

Highlights from the archive include Morris’s letters to family and friends, Morris & Co. publicity materials, May Morris’s notes on embroidery, Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo’s unpublished ‘History of the Arts and Crafts Movement’, JW Mackail’s notebooks and a wide range of material relating to the designer-craftsman George Jack. In the case of very fragile items visitors may be asked to consult facsimiles.

The Gallery holds an almost full set of Kelmscott Press books as well as historic journals including The Studio magazine and a complete set of the Century Guild’s Hobby Horse.

Facilities

Power sockets for laptops and wi-fi are available in the library. There are lockers to leave your bag and personal belongings.

Housekeeping rules:

• Food and drink cannot be taken into the library
• Mobile phones must be on silent mode
• Please bring a pencil, pens are not allowed in the reading room to preserve archive materials
• Visitors may take photographs without flash for research purposes. To license images for reproduction click here
• Staff can photocopy non-fragile items subject to usual restrictions

The William Morris Gallery is committed to supporting research into the life, work and influence of William Morris and his associates by facilitating access to its internationally-significant collection of artefacts and promoting the use of the library.

For reasons regarding conservation and limited space, the entire collection is not on display. The reserve collection is held in secure storage but can be made accessible for research visits by prior appointment.

Please allow at least two weeks notice for appointments to the library. Appointments are available Monday – Friday, 10am-5pm.

To book an appointment please enquire below.