# Oscar Wilde

> Irish poet, playwright, and aesthete (1854-1900)

**Wikidata**: [Q30875](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30875)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oscar-wilde

## Summary

Oscar Wilde was born October 16, 1854, in Dublin.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] He held citizenship in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.[21][22][13][20] He was educated at Magdalen College and Trinity College, Dublin.He worked as a poet, playwright, short story writer, children's writer, novelist, and writer.[23][19][20][4][24][18][25] His field included fiction, literary activity, drama, and prose.[26] His genres included comedy, Gothic literature, drama fiction, tragedy, fairy tale, and narrative poetry. He received the Newdigate Prize.[3]His notable works include The Importance of Being Earnest, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Canterville Ghost, The Soul of Man under Socialism, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. His father was William Wilde and his mother was Jane Wilde.[27][27] His siblings were Willie Wilde and Isola Francesca Emily Wilde.[27] He married Constance Lloyd (1884–present) and had two children, Vyvyan Holland and Cyril Holland.[28][27][20][27][20]He was Roman Catholic. He died November 30, 1900, in Paris, with meningitis as the cause of death.[29][1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][30][14][15][17][24][18][19][20].

## Summary
Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, playwright, and aesthete (1854–1900) best known for his witty comedies, philosophical essays, and literary contributions. His most famous works include *The Importance of Being Earnest* and *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, which shaped modern literature and theater. Wilde’s sharp wit, aesthetic philosophy, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights made him a cultural icon of the late 19th century.

## Biography
- Born: 1854 (exact date unknown)
- Nationality: Irish
- Education: Magdalen College, Oxford (attended but did not graduate)
- Known for: Pioneering modernist literature, theater, and aesthetic philosophy
- Employer(s): Magdalen College, Trinity College Dublin
- Field(s): Literature, theater, aesthetics

## Contributions
- *The Importance of Being Earnest* (1895) – A satirical comedy that remains a staple of the theater.
- *The Picture of Dorian Gray* (1890) – A novel exploring vanity, morality, and the corruption of the soul.
- *The Canterville Ghost* (1887) – A short story blending Gothic and fairy-tale elements.
- *The Soul of Man under Socialism* (1891) – An essay critiquing socialist ideology.
- *The Ballad of Reading Gaol* (1898) – A poem written during Wilde’s imprisonment.

## FAQs
- **What was Oscar Wilde’s most famous work?** Wilde is best known for *The Importance of Being Earnest* and *The Picture of Dorian Gray*.
- **Where did Oscar Wilde study?** He attended Magdalen College, Oxford, and Trinity College Dublin.
- **What was Wilde’s political stance?** He was a socialist and a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
- **Why was Wilde imprisoned?** He was convicted of "gross indecency" for a homosexual relationship.
- **What was Wilde’s relationship with aesthetics?** He was a key figure in the Aesthetic Movement, emphasizing beauty and art over practicality.

## Why They Matter
Oscar Wilde revolutionized literature and theater with his sharp wit and philosophical depth. His works influenced generations of writers, including William Butler Yeats and André Gide. Wilde’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and socialism made him a progressive voice in the late 19th century. Without him, modernist literature and the Aesthetic Movement would have lacked his distinctive voice.

## Notable For
- Won the Newdigate Prize for poetry at Oxford.
- Inspired the fictional character Dorian Gray.
- Founded the Oscar Wilde Bookshop in New York City.
- Influenced key literary figures like José Baroja and Katherine Mansfield.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Oscar Wilde was born in 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Trinity College Dublin and later Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied classics. Wilde’s early works, including *The Canterville Ghost*, showcased his talent for blending Gothic and fairy-tale elements.

### Literary Career
Wilde’s career began with poetry and short stories, but he gained fame as a playwright. *The Importance of Being Earnest* (1895) became one of the most performed plays in history. His novel *The Picture of Dorian Gray* (1890) explored themes of vanity and moral decay, influencing later literary works.

### Political and Social Views
Wilde was a socialist and a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. His essay *The Soul of Man under Socialism* (1891) critiqued socialist ideology. Despite his progressive views, Wilde faced legal trouble for his homosexuality, leading to his imprisonment in 1895.

### Imprisonment and Legacy
Wilde’s imprisonment in Reading Gaol inspired *The Ballad of Reading Gaol* (1898). After his release, he continued writing but faced declining health. He died in 1900, leaving behind a legacy as a literary and cultural icon.

### Influence on Modern Culture
Wilde’s works continue to be studied and performed worldwide. His aesthetic philosophy and wit have shaped modern literature, theater, and LGBTQ+ discourse. The Oscar Wilde Bookshop in New York City honors his enduring influence.

## References

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23. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/fasearch/findingAid.cfm?eadid=00244)
24. [Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde. Internet Broadway Database](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/69467)
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33. Wilde, Oscar
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50. [Source](https://nble.lib.unb.ca/browse/w/oscar-wilde)