author
Aymer Vallance
1862–1943
A lively guide to old churches, Oxford colleges, and the world around William Morris, this English writer and art historian brought the Arts and Crafts spirit to a wide audience. He was also an artist and designer whose interests ranged from stained glass to antiquarian research.
1 Audiobook
Old Crosses and Lychgates
by Aymer Vallance
About the author
Born William Howard Aymer Vallance in 1862, he became known as a painter, stained-glass designer, illustrator, and art historian. Records from Kent describe him as having grown up in Lynsted, and they also note his long interest in church furnishings and early art. He died on July 16, 1943, aged 81.
Vallance wrote widely on art, architecture, and decorative design. His books include studies of William Morris and The Old Colleges of Oxford, and the Royal Academy’s catalog records also connect him with work on Aubrey Beardsley. His writing often focused on medieval and early modern buildings, craftsmanship, and the visual culture that fed the Arts and Crafts movement.
He was also active as an antiquary. Kent archival sources note that he contributed many articles to Archaeologia Cantiana and served as Honorary Editor from 1918 to 1929. That mix of scholar, designer, and enthusiast helps explain why his work still appeals to readers who enjoy art history that stays close to real objects, places, and making.