William Morris (1834-1896) was one of the most celebrated practitioners of the Arts and Crafts movement. In creating woven and printed textile patterns Morris chose to work with the ancient technique of hand woodblock printing, finding inspiration for his famous repeating patterns in the natural world around him: 'millefleurs' tapestries and early prints of herbs as well as the crispness and abundance of exquisite detail in medieval art. His evocations of antique florals andåÊplants in all their profusion, depth of tone and magical gradation of tints haveåÊbecome design classics gracing the decorative arts, including our book cover.