Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones was born in Birmingham on the 28th August 1833. Whilst at Oxford he met William Morris, who was to become a life-long friend. In 1861 William Morris established Morris and Company. Burne-Jones became one of the major designers for the company, working on pottery, tiles, textiles and stained glass, the latter proving to be his particular forte.

Burne-Jones died on the 17th of June 1898. His immense and varied artistic abilities were recognised during his lifetime, and he was the first artist to be honoured with a memorial service in Westminster Abbey.