Oscar Wilde, Irish Author

Portrait of Oscar Wilde as a young child. Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms, he became one of London's most popular playwrights. He is remembered for his epigrams, plays and the circumstances of his imprisonment, followed by his early death. He became known for his involvement in the rising philosophy of aestheticism. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles. As a spokesman for aestheticism, he tried his hand at various literary activities: he published a book of poems, lectured in the United States of America and Canada and then returned to London where he worked as a journalist. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress, and glittering conversation, Wilde had become one of the most well-known personalities of his day. At the height of his fame and success, Wilde had the Marquess of Queensberry, the father of his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, prosecuted for libel, a charge carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison. The trial unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest, and trial for gross indecency, with other men. After two more trials he was convicted and imprisoned for two years hard labor. He died destitute in Paris at the age of 46

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

1854 Aesthetic Aestheticism Biting Convicted Destitute Fingal Flamboyant Glittering Gross Homosexual Imprisoned Indecency Lecture Lecturer Wills

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