Arthur Lasenby Liberty was born in Chesham, Buckinghamshire in 1843. He was employed at Messrs Farmer and Rogers in Regent Street in 1862, the year of the International Exhibition at Kensington in London. By 1874, inspired by his 10 years of service, Arthur then decided to start a business of his own, believing that he could change the look of home wares and fashion.

Since 1875, Liberty has been synonymous with luxury and great design. Arthur Liberty's intuitive vision and pioneering spirit led him to travel the world looking for individual pieces to inspire and excite his discerning clientele. Liberty is not just a name above the door, it's Arthur Liberty's legacy, which stands for integrity, value, quality and above all beautifully designed product. This vision and spirit continues today within the iconic Tudor building

BOOKS

• Liberty's 1875-1975 (London, 1975 – the catalogue of the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum)
• Liberty's, a Biography of a Shop by Alison Adburgham (London, 1975)
• The Designs of Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co edited by AJ Tilbrook & Gordon House (London, 1976)
• Liberty Style by Victor Arwas (Tokyo, 1983)
• Liberty Style, the Classic Years, 1898-1910 by Mervyn Levy (London, 1986)
• Decorating with Fabric Liberty Style by Charmian Watkins (London, 1987)
• Liberty Design 1874-1914 by Barbara Morris (London, 1989)
• The House of Liberty edited by Stephen Calloway (London, 1992)
• The Enchanted World of Jessie M King by Colin White (1989)
• Archibald Knox by Stephen A Martin (London 2001)
• E.W. Godwin Aesthetic Movement architect and designer edited by Susan Weber Soros (New York 1999)