| Timeline |
| 1845 |
Born 15 August in Liverpool |
| 1851 |
Family moves to London |
| 1859 |
Serves as an apprentice to the wood engraver, W. J. Linton, in London until 1862 |
| 1862 |
First exhibits at the Royal Academy (The Lady of Shalott ) |
| 1867 |
Collaborates with the Dalziel Brothers and illustrates children's books for Routledge and Edmund Evans Editors ("Toy books") |
| 1871 |
Marries Mary |
| 1871 |
Meets William Morris and Burne-Jones |
| 1872 |
Travels to Italy |
| 1883 |
Joins the Socialist League |
| 1884 |
First president of the Art Workers Guild |
| 1885 |
Tours United States (year approximate) |
| 1888 |
Instrumental in forming the Art and Crafts Exhibition Society |
| 1892 |
The Claims of Decorative Art published |
| 1893 |
Appointed Director of Design at the Manchester School of Art |
| 1895 |
Named Honorary Member of the Munich Academy |
| 1896 |
The Decorative Illustration of Books published |
| 1897 |
Principal of the Royal College of Art |
| 1900 |
Line and Form published |
| 1915 |
Dies 14 March |
