William Morris

Many of Morris’s friends were also close collaborators, living deeply intertwined lives. Rossetti, initially a mentor, became a close colleague (as well as naming his pet wombat after Morris, and falling for his wife); Burne-Jones was a fellow-colleague and lifetime friend. Webb, another friend for life, was met when Morris was an architectural apprentice, while Brown was another colleague and business partner. Engels gave Morris advice on forming a socialist movement but doubted his practicality; Shaw shared many ideals, dined regularly with him, but was miffed when Morris, lecturing around the corner, got all the audience.