Biographies

Arthur W. Simpson () Born in the heart of England’s Lake District, Simpson was a leading carver and designer of domestic andecclestical furniture at the end of the nineteenth century. He served numerous apprenticeships around the country before settling permanently in Kendal, where he founded, in 1881, the workshop known as “the Handicrafts”. In 1896 he was also hired to teach at the Keswick School of Industrial Art.He valued simplicity combined with craftmanship. His work was highly regarded by members of the Artworkers Guild, such as and Baillie-Scott. Committed to promoting good, sound and artistic craftwork, he taught evening classes in woodcarving to local people. Charles Voysey designed Simpson’s house in Kendal, Littleholme. Voysey