First edition. Volume 1 in The Artist and the Critic Series. The spirited, prolific career of Laurence Housman (1865-1959) was that of one of the most enigmatic, talented, skillful polymaths of the late-Victorian period. His drawings of fairies and elegant, Pre-Raphaelite women were admired for their evocative, atmospheric qualities, while his critics dismissed them as borrowed from William Blake, William Morris and the more devilish aspects of Beardsley. He was a draughtsman and book designer, who turned to writing verse, fantasy stories, novels, essays and scandalous plays on the royals. The pioneer feminist, pacifist and socialist, Housman was as outspoken as he was enchanting. His life and work is an invaluable reflection of the taste and popular opinions of an early twentieth century anxious to shrug off the mantle of the Victorians. Yet Housman himself remained a true Victorian to the end. He was the prophet of fantasy: the pure, simple guide through a rapidly confused and complicated world. This important reference work contains a biography, a complete annotated bibliography and reprints of critical essays on Housman.