Libraries to Host Panel on William Morris
Ohio University Libraries will host a roundtable discussion titled “William Morris, Kelmscott Press, and the Book Beautiful” on Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. on Microsoft Teams and in-person in the Friends of the Library Room (319) in Alden Library. Registration is required for in-person attendance, which is limited to 30 people.
William Morris was an influential English designer, political activist and author during the 19th century. Later in his life, he became concerned about mechanization and the loss of craftsmanship during the Industrial Revolution and established Kelmscott Press to create beautiful, handcrafted books in the style of early European manuscripts.
The roundtable event will include Dr. Charles Buchanan from Interdisciplinary Arts, Dr. Neil Bernstein from Classics, Dr. Miriam Shadis from History, and Dr. Nicole Reynolds and Dr. Joe McLaughlin from English, speaking about William Morris’s impact on the world of publishing and materials related to Morris that are housed in the Libraries’ rare book collection.
“We are inviting these faculty members to talk about how they work and teach with these beautifully handcrafted items, as well as to discuss their significance within the context of each of their fields,” said Dr. Miriam Intrator, special collections librarian.
Ohio University Libraries’ rare book collection houses some original Kelmscott Press books, many of which are on display now in the “William Morris in Books and Leaves” exhibit on the fifth floor of Alden Library, as well as in the online exhibit of the same name.
In addition, the Libraries is home to a 13th century illuminated manuscript Bible that was previously in Morris’s personal library, which serves as an example of the texts that inspired his own bookmaking.
The faculty members on the roundtable panel will discuss Morris and his impact, the influence of the Kelmscott Press, handcrafting and artisanship, the evolution of bookmaking and printing, and the importance of studying medieval books, among other related subjects.
Intrator said that because of the range of perspectives represented on the roundtable, it will have broad appeal to students, faculty and staff and community members.
“Whether you’re interested in book design, graphic design, illustration, language, Latin, literature or literary history, medieval studies, or the history and evolution of knowledge production and bookmaking technologies, we hope you can attend,” she said.
Register here for the in-person event or join on Microsoft Teams. For more information on the roundtable or the rare book collection at Ohio University Libraries, contact Dr. Miriam Intrator at intrator@ohio.edu.