6th December – “William De Morgan: Novels, Socialism, and Victorian Class Struggles”

Following the end of his career in the decorative arts, William De Morgan ventured down a new path, publishing the first of nine novels in 1906. This Friday lecture focuses on De Morgan’s first two publications, Joseph Vance: An Ill-Written Biography and Alice for Short: A Dichronism, and how De Morgan utilised these to make a bold statement on socialism and the treatment of the working class in Victorian London, especially in relation to living conditions and access the green spaces.

Steven Burgess

Steven has recently completed his MA in English Literature at the University of Leeds, focusing his dissertation on the links between Environment and Class in William De Morgan’s first two piblished novels. He also works in Community Organising in Higher Education following a previous career teaching English to secondary and FE students. He is now looking to embark on a PhD to continue with his research into De Morgan’s literature.