Lilia Walsh, a University of Cincinnati senior majoring in Geography, was the Archives & Rare Books Library’s 2009-2010 intern. Her project was related to ARB’s rare book holdings on the Arts & Crafts Movement, particularly imprints of William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. Associated Arts & Crafts books, such as those produced by American publishers Elbert Hubbard from his Roycrofters and of Thomas Mosher, also figure in the project that resulted in an annotated bibliography of our holdings, the transcription and annotation of a Morris letter, and the design of a web exhibit.
Ms. Walsh became interested in William Morris when her parents wallpapered a room in their house with Morris’ “willow” pattern. An Honors student at UC, she took a special seminar called “William Morris and His World,” taught by art history faculty member Cindy Damschroder and Jane Carlin, former head of the College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning Library. A 2009 summer Honors seminar with Archives and Rare Books Library head Kevin Grace led to the intern position because of her background in arts and books.
The use of our Morris-related and Arts & Crafts monographs has increased dramatically over the past several years, serving several courses in art history, political science, English literature, history of the book, and graphic design. Thus, the project product will serve both as a research tool to ARB’s Arts & Crafts books, and as a practical guide for students and faculty.
