Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on October 16, 1854. He was destined to become a famous playwright, and yet it was for his social circles that he is widely known. The author of the still popular The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Ernest and Salome, he would live to be 46, dying abruptly in exile. Witty and decadent, he was ultimately doomed to die a pariah after losing a court case against his lover's father for libel. Sentenced to two years hard labor, Oscar served out his penance in Reading gaol, writing only one last poem after his release. Best remembered for his writings and for his homosexuality, he remains a brilliant writer who explored the meaning of Roman Catholicism, love, sacrifice, Victorian morals, the meaning of life and the masks that men and women wear to hide the truth.

For the YouTube Playlist of this blog, with songs that didn't make the cut on this blog (as well as songs based off of the life and works of Oscar Wilde), the link is here.

References for this blog include: 

Ellmann, Richard. (1987). Oscar Wilde.New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Pearce, Joseph. (2000). The Unmasking of Oscar Wilde. London, England: HarperCollins.