William Morris, Initial D, a design for a woodcut

This design is a decorative initial by William Morris (1834-96). It was used in many books printed by his publishing company Kelmscott Press. A total of 53 initials were produced. The initials demonstrate Morris' attention to detail at every stage of production.
William Morris was an immensely influential writer, craftsman and social reformer. His fascination with the Middle Ages showed from an early age. He founded a decorating firm in 1861 that eventually became Morris & Co. He commissioned designs from many, including friends Burne-Jones and Rossetti. Morris produced a broad range of decorative arts from furniture and stained glass to wallpaper. His celebrated textile and wallpaper patterns are still in commercial production today.
Morris set up the Kelmscott Press in 1891 with the aim of producing beautiful books. Arguably the most impressive was an edition of the works of Chaucer. The book had woodcut illustrations by Burne-Jones, and decorations and typeface by Morris.
In the first of his many public lectures he stated, 'I do not want art for a few any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few'. The care and craft-based production methods made his books too expensive for the masses. Morris defined art as 'man's expression of his joy in labour', and advised, 'have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'.