-
Birth Date
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland. His birth name is Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wide. His mother was a successful poet and journalist. -
Education
Oscar Wilde attended Trinity College from 1871 to 1874 and Magdalen College from 1874 to 1878. -
First Poem
Wilde's first published poem is titled "A Chorus of Cloud Maidens" it appeared in the Dublin University Magazine. -
Marriage
Wilde married Constance Lloyd. She was the daughter of a prominent barrister. She was well-read, spoke many languages, and was outspoken. -
First Play
Wilde's first play is titled Vera. It was turned down in London, and instead opened in New York. -
First Son
Wilde's first son was named Cyril Holland. His original last name was Wilde, but was later changed to Holland. -
Second Son
Wilde's second son was named Vyvyan Holland. His family used the spelling Vivian, however. His last name was also changed to Holland. -
First and Only Novel
Wilde's first novel is titled The Picture of Dorian Gray. It received a lot of negative response because of the homoerotic overtones in the novel. -
Salome
Salome is a one-act tragedy. It is about a woman who is the niece and step-daughter of a king. -
Secret Relationship
Wilde began an affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. He had kept his sexuality a secret but was later found out by Douglas' father. -
First Successful Play
Wilde's first successful play was Lady Windermere's Fan. -
A Woman of No Importance
This is one of Wilde's most well-known works; it is a comedy. -
Poems in Prose
Poems in Prose is a collection of six prose poems that were published in the Fortnightly Review. -
The Sphinx
The Sphinx is one of Wilde's most well-known poems. It is about a man who questions the sphinx on the history of her sexual adventures. -
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest is one of Wilde's most famous plays. -
Imprisonment
Wilde was imprisoned for gross indecency for being in a same sex relationship and he was sentenced to two years of hard labor. He was imprisoned at Reading Gaol. -
An Ideal Husband
This is another one of Wilde's most well-known plays. It is about blackmail and political corruption. -
Separation
Wilde and his wife never divorced, but she changed their son's last name and made him give up his parental rights after he was convicted and imprisoned. -
Most Famous Poem
The Ballad of Reading Gaol is Wilde's most successful poem. It is about his experience in prison. -
Death
Oscar Wilde was 46 years old when he died in Paris, France. He died from meningitis.