Designer Biography

William Richard Lethaby

Born: 1857

Died: 1931

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Lethaby was born in Devon, where he commenced his architectural career. In 1879 he joined Richard Norman Shaw's office as chief clerk. He was a founder member of the Art Workers' Guild in 1884 and its Master in 1911, and was active in the foundation of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1887. He was involved with the Morris firm in the decorations of Stanmore Hall, and he joined Gimson and Barnsley in Kenton & Co. in 1890. His architectural career was overshadowed by his design work (for Coalbrookdale, Farmer & Brindley, Longden & Co., Portland Metalworks and Marsh, Jones & Cribb), writing, and teaching at the newly set-up Central School of Arts and Crafts. In applying for the post of Art Inspector at the school in 1892 he submitted references from Norman Shaw, William Morris, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Walter Crane and Philip Webb.