William Morris
William Morris was a British artist, designer, and author who wrote several pioneering fantasy romances including The Well at the World's End and The Wood Beyond the World. His prose style, drawing on medieval romances, directly influenced J.R.R. Tolkien's conception of secondary world fantasy. He is credited as one of the founders of the fantasy genre.
Works
- The Well at the World's EndVictorian fantasy romance following travelers seeking magical well at world's end
- The Wood Beyond the WorldVictorian fantasy romance exploring mysterious forest and dangerous desire
- The Story of the Glittering PlainVictorian fantasy tale of magical quest across shimmering plain and perilous journey
- The Water of the Wondrous IslesVictorian romance fantasy centered on enchanted islands and transformative waters
- News from NowhereUtopian socialist fantasy depicting future society without class or hierarchy
- The Defence of GueneverePoetry collection retelling Arthurian legends with focus on Queen Guenevere
- The Earthly ParadiseNarrative poetry cycle depicting mythological tales across seasons and lands
- Sigurd the VolsungNarrative poetry epic retelling Norse mythology of Sigurd the dragon slayer