William De Morgan

Born in London in 1839, William De Morgan became one of the most distinctive figures of the Arts and Crafts movement. He trained as an artist, worked with William Morris, and became especially admired for his richly colored tiles and ceramics, often inspired by medieval and Middle Eastern design. He was known for technical curiosity as well as imagination, experimenting constantly with glazes and kiln methods.

De Morgan's career moved across several crafts, including stained glass, furniture design, and pottery, but ceramics brought him lasting fame. His work stood out for its playful animals, intricate patterns, and deep, luminous color. He married the painter Evelyn De Morgan, and the two became a notable creative partnership within Victorian artistic life.

Later in life, he took an unexpected new path and began publishing novels. These books found a wide readership, giving him a second career as a writer before his death in 1917. That mix of designer, inventor, and late-blooming novelist makes his story especially memorable.