William Michael Rossetti

Born in London in 1829, William Michael Rossetti was an English writer, art critic, and literary editor. He was the brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Christina Rossetti, and he became closely linked with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood from its earliest days.

Rossetti is often remembered not only for his own criticism and essays, but for the way he documented and preserved the work of others. He served as a secretary and chronicler of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, edited important writings by members of his family, and published memoirs and critical studies that helped later generations understand Victorian art and poetry.

Alongside his literary life, he spent many years working in the Excise Office, balancing steady public service with a long career in letters. He died in London in 1919, leaving behind a body of work that connects biography, criticism, and firsthand cultural history.