The common perception of William Morris is as a stuffy Victorian, a man who designed expensive wallpaper, a utopian who sought refuge from industrialism in a world of medieval fantasy. It is true that he designed wallpaper; along with furniture, ceramics, stained-glass windows, tapestries, carpets and houses. However, the ravages of industrial capitalism; its attendant imperialism and war, its destruction of the environment, and above all the enslavement of human labour to the machine appalled Morris.  As the 19^th century progressed he become more political and he took the giant step across the "river of fire" and became a socialist. 23 October 2010 / 15:30-16:30

PODCAST: William Morris - Street revolutionary and urban visionary