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Although she had been active in pursuing her own career in her 20s and 30s, in the latter half of her life May dedicated herself to her father's memory. She edited William Morris's complete works, a mammoth task. This book shows more what she did for fun - this poem was written out by her and bound as an 80th birthday present for Emery Walker.

CAGM1991.1016.Z5 Part of the Emery Walker Library

After finishing college, May went back home and started working for Morris & Co., her father's firm. She was head of the Embroidery section, with a team of embroiderers. Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum recently acquired this panel, probably intended to be a firescreen, which was designed by May. She designed pieces like this, and designed and embroidered the large, elaborate special commissions as she was one of the most skilled embroiderers working for the Firm.

May shared her father's enthusiasm for social change, and was an active member of the Hammersmith Socialist League, taking part in meetings and protests. This card, belonging to Emery Walker, shows Walter Crane's design for the Hammersmith branch, with its vigorous blacksmith. Emery Walker was the secretary, and William Morris the Treasurer.

CAGM1991.1016.28.a.1.jpg, Part of the Emery Walker Library

May enjoyed acting, but she was more passionate about writing. She said to Emery Walker, ‘of course I want to get some things acted, stories published and all the rest of it.’ She would spend a lot of her life writing and editing, but she only produced one work of fiction. This play, White Lies, was published in 1903 when May was in her early forties. It is a quasi-tragic romance about family secrets, but has not yet been performed.

CAGM1991.1016.996.O73, Part of the Emery Walker Library

Detail of the previous photograph showing May with her father in garden at Kelmscott Manor.

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, from the Emery Walker Library