The Picture of Dorian Gray

About the Author

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish poet, playwright, novelist, and one of the most prominent figures of the Aesthetic movement that emphasized 'art for art's sake.' Born to intellectual parents in Dublin, Wilde received a classical education at Trinity College Dublin and Oxford University, where he distinguished himself as a scholar and became associated with the aesthetic and decadent movements. Known for his flamboyant personality, witty epigrams, and dandy-like appearance, Wilde achieved literary fame with works that include the novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1890), the play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895), and numerous short stories and poems. Despite being married with two children, Wilde engaged in homosexual relationships during a time when such behavior was illegal in Britain. His affair with Lord Alfred Douglas ('Bosie') led to his downfall when Douglas's father publicly accused Wilde of being a 'sodomite.' Wilde's subsequent libel suit against the Marquess of Queensberry backfired catastrophically, resulting in Wilde's arrest and conviction for 'gross indecency.' He served two years of hard labor in prison, where he wrote 'De Profundis,' a long letter to Bosie reflecting on his life and suffering. Upon his release in 1897, Wilde went into exile in France, destitute and in poor health, writing his final work, 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol.' He died in Paris in 1900 at the age of 46, his artistic genius recognized but his personal life in ruins. Posthumously, Wilde has been celebrated not only for his literary brilliance but also as an early martyr for LGBT rights, with his conviction being posthumously pardoned in 2017.