Oscar Wilde

Childhood Born Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde on October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was an eye and ear surgeon and a folklorist. His mother was a poet and journalist and was known to be theatrical.

Education Wilde was very successful in school and he excelled in studying the classics. He won many awards that allowed him to study at many of England’s prestigious schools.

Adulthood After graduation, Wilde moved to London where he became famous in fashionable and intellectual circles He was known for his witty conversation and his outlandish dress He became one of the leaders of the Aesthetic Movement—a movement that stressed art for art’s sake.

Going to America In 1882, Wilde travelled to America to give lectures about aesthetics. While in New York, Wilde became engaged to Constance Lloyd, whom he married in They had two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan, and in order to support his new family, Wilde became the editor of The Women’s World magazine.

Downfall In 1891, Wilde became close friends with Lord Alfred Douglas. Douglas’ father accused Wilde of homosexuality, an act that was punishable by law. Wilde sued Douglas’ father for libel, but he was ultimately arrested and sentenced to two years of hard labor.

Last Years When Wilde was released, he left England forever and he travelled to France. Wilde travelled around Europe until 1900, when he returned to Paris. He died of meningitis on November 30, 1900.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Published simultaneously in Philadelphia's Lippincott’s Magazine and by Ward, Lock and Company in England in It was first published as a novella, but after it received much criticism, Wilde re- released the story as a full-length novel.

Inspiration Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s play Faust. It is the story of a doctor who is tempted to sell his soul for everything that he desires. The result is disaster and the lesson is that a man’s soul is more valuable than anything gained in the material world.

Themes Self-worship leads to self-destruction Time will have its way Beauty is only skin deep Earthly pleasures can never completely satisfy the human being Evil appears in charming disguises