About the talk
At Kelmscott House in Hammersmith, overlooking the River Thames, Morris pursued new creative directions for his firm Morris & Co., experimented with book design and private printing, and became a leading voice in the Socialist League. His time there was shaped by both domestic life with his wife Jane and their daughters Jenny and May, and by a flourishing circle of friends and collaborators who helped foster a vibrant atmosphere of art, ideas, and activism. Although Morris initially described Kelmscott House as “dreary,” he soon recognised that it “might even be made very beautiful with a touch of my art.” This talk will take you on a journey of discovery as we explore all aspects of William Morris’s Hammersmith home and reveal the magic that shaped his art, politics, and ideals. From hand-drawn designs to revolutionary ideas, we will uncover the beauty and energy that flourished within Kelmscott House throughout Morris’s occupation.
About the speaker
Gabriella Esser has been Director of the William Morris Society since February 2025. She previously spent seven years managing the Museum at The Charterhouse and has also worked at the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum, supporting their Directors. Gabriella read Ancient History at the University of St Andrews and completed a Masters in Classical Art at Kings College London. She balances her professional work with family life, raising two young children.
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