1854-1900
Wilde was born in Dublin in
1854 he studied there and Oxford, he was a prolific writer and noted
wit. Wilde probably inherited some of his writing ability from both
of his parents, his father was a notable eye and ear surgeon writing
not only about surgery but also archaeology.
His mother was a committed nationalist,
from 1845 she contributed poetry to The
Nation under the pen name 'Speranza' After her husbands
death in 1876 she moved to London where she published several works
on Irish folk lore, 'Ancient Legends of Ireland' 1887 and
'Ancient Cures'
Oscar produced many works but
only one novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' 1891, this
was followed by a series of comedies' A Woman of no Importance'
1893, 'The Importance of Being Earnest' 1895, he wrote
fairy tales and other stories, and a long political essay 'The Soul
of Man Under Socialism' 189. His social comedies included 'Lady
Windermere's Fan' 1892 and 'An Ideal Husband' 1895.
Wilde although married with
children was a homosexual and they had a particularly hard time
when he was imprisoned after he had an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas,
son of The Marques of Queensbury, famed for the boxing rules which
carry his name. Queensbury provoked Wilde into a lawsuit which culminated
in financial ruin and imprisonment. During his time in prison he
wrote 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol' published 1889 And a
letter also written in gaol 'De Profundis' was published
in 1905 He was released in 1897 and moved to France, when he died
in 1900 he was buried in Pere Lachaise cemetery, Paris. |
