Meeting with William Morris

In January 1884 William Morris was invited by the Leicester Secular Society to give a talk on ‘Art and Socialism’. This was an important event for the society which publicized the event with 1,000 window stickers and 1,000 hand bills. Morris was a controversial figure, best known to his contemporaries for his poetry and writings, who had caused a national sensation by his commitment to socialism in 1883.

Ernest Gimson nervously accompanied his brother, Sydney, then secretary of the society, to meet Morris off the London train. They were immediately put at ease by their visitor who greeted them as friends and equals. According to Sydney Gimson, Morris was an indifferent lecturer whose reading of his well-prepared script lacked vigour. However that evening at the Gimsons’ home the conversation flowed. They stayed up until 2am and Morris took a real interest in Ernest Gimson’s future career. He subsequently provided him with three letters of introduction to architects in London.

By March 1886 Gimson had moved to London, working in the architectural office of John Dando Sedding and living in lodgings in Kentish Town.

William Morris: Art & Socialism lecture

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