Subject

Potter, tile designer and novelist. Born 69 Gower Street as William Frend de Morgan, to the mathematician Augustus de Morgan.

Lifelong friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass and furniture for Morris & Co. 1863 - 72. Had a kiln in his studio at 40 Fitzroy Square but in 1872 he had to leave having burnt the roof off. He moved to 8 Great Cheyne Row (now Cheyne Row) where he built a pottery kiln in the garden. A London Inheritance says the site is that now occupied by the church Our Most Holy Redeemer and St. Thomas More.

In 1873, when he needed a bigger kiln he rented Orange House, almost next door. In 1882 he moved the pottery business to Merton Abbey, Wimbledon (somewhere near this Nelson memorial but we can't find an address), and in 1888 moved the business again to Sand’s End Pottery, Townmead Road, Fulham.

He married the painter Evelyn Pickering in 1887 and moved to 1 The Vale, King's Road, Chelsea. In 1888 he went into partnership with Halsey Ricardo.

1907 the fashion for his type of product had ended. He retired from potting and became a novelist, very successfully. In 1910 he and his wife moved to their last home at 127 Church Street, Chelsea, and it was here he died, followed 5 days later by Evelyn.

Cannon Hall is a good source.