William Morris – A short History

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Morris’ personal life also began to take its toll on his health. His marriage to Jane was never stable, and did not provide a good foundation for a happy home.

He had two daughters, Jenny, an epileptic in poor health who had several serious health scares, and May, who married in 1890, but her marriage had broken down by 1894 and they divorced in 1898. May managed the firm’s embroidery department, and later lectured in the United States. Neither of the daughters had children.

By 1891, Morris’ health was deteriorating. Jane wrote: “My husband has been very ill, the shock of Jenny’s illness was too much for him, and he broke down entirely a few days afterwards – he is much better, but not nearly recovered… Jenny has made a miraculous recovery.”

Morris himself noted his general weakness and expressed anxiety about his own health. “I am ashamed to say that I am not as well as I should like, and am even such a fool as to be rather anxious – about myself this time.”

Even with feeling poorly, Morris kept up his activity, catching over fifty fish from a punt in the Thames in 1892, going to dinner with friends, and trying out new wallpaper backgrounds with colleagues. The Firm continued its production, including weaving. This tapestry, which is known as “The Arming and Departure of the Knights”, was one of three woven tapestries from 1895-96 installed at Compton Hall near Wolverhampton.

Even with failing health, Morris kept active. On June 18, 1896, he and a friend went to France for the day, and in late July, he took a steamer to Norway for a trip of nearly four weeks that was detrimental to his health.