W.A.S. Benson

"This is the first work devoted to the life and work of the Arts & Crafts designer and architect William Arthur Smith Benson (1854-1924). Though best known for his daring and innovative work in the sphere of electrical lighting at its very inception, Benson also turned his hand to interior design, metalware, and architecture. Perhaps unusual for an artist, Benson was sufficiently commercially aware and astute enough to make use of the latest copyright laws, registering and patenting an astonishing range of ideas. A great friend of both William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, Benson was a leading figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement, eventually taking over the helm of Morris & Co. Decorators Ltd. following William Morris' death." "This extensively researched book places Benson in his historical context and presents an insight into Benson's family life and social connections, before going on to discuss his career in architecture, furniture, interior design, lighting, and metalware, and to examine the steps Benson took to protect himself against design theft. The appendices provide invaluable information: listing Benson's registered designs and trademarks, his architectural works (complete with details of clients, builders and references) and, uniquely reprinting the colour plates from two of Benson & Co.'s sales catalogues, showing his designs for hollow-ware and gas, oil and electrical lighting."--BOOK JACKET.