William Morris (24 March 1834 - 3 October 1896) was an English writer. As an author, illustrator and medievalist, he helped to establish the modern fantasy genre, and was a direct influence on postwar authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien. Morris wrote and published poetry, fiction, and translations of ancient and medieval texts throughout his life. His best-known works include The utopian News from Nowhere (1890), and the fantasy romance The Well at the World's End (1896). In this book: The Well at the World's End: a tale, News from Nowhere, or, an Epoch of Rest: being some chapters from a utopian romance, The Wood Beyond the World, The House of the Wolfings