Life and achievements
Early life
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16, 1854, to Sir William Wilde and Jane, Lady Wilde. His father was a famous oto-ophthalmologic surgeon, and his mother was a poet and a nationalist. Wilde's parents were Protestant, and he was baptized in the Church of Ireland; he had three sisters and three brothers. French and German tutors taught him at home until 1899, when he was admitted to Portora Royal School in Enniskillen alongside his brother. Wilde was a bright student, especially in classics; he was awarded a Royal School scholarship to Trinity College Dublin in 1871.
Wilde's academic success remained strong at Trinity College; he received many prizes and a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford. At Oxford, Wilde joined the aesthetic and decadent movements due to the influence of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. He furnished his rooms with peacock feathers, lilies, and blue china, dressed in a rather loud manner, and thus became quite a celebrity. Wilde secured the Newdigate Prize in 1878 with his poem Ravenna and had the distinction of getting first-class honors in his degree.
Wilde left Oxford, returned to Dublin, and then to London, where he joined high society. He was famous for his humor, speaking skills, and peculiar dressing. His earlier works included a play, a book of poems, and lectures on the 'English Renaissance in Art.' His first important work was 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' published in 1890; several successful plays for society followed this.
Legacy
Oscar Wilde is remembered for his works that have impacted the world of literature, art, and society even to this date. His works are characterized by humor, new and creative language, and the depiction of ethical and artistic concerns. Wilde's plays, especially The Importance of Being Earnest, are still famous and have been performed repeatedly. His novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is still read and analyzed due to the many themes present in the work, and it has been made into many films and plays.
Wilde's life and work were filled with success and sorrow. He became a playwright and a social activist but was imprisoned for gross indecency and became a social outcast. Wilde's time in prison was not easy for him, and later works show his transformation and search for the meaning of life. Nevertheless, Wilde's talent for wordplay and writing did not leave him, and he was still popular among friends and people who appreciated his work.
The last years of Wilde's life were not easy, and his reputation worsened after his death. He was posthumously acquitted of the charges that led to his conviction, and his life and work are still the subject of much research and public curiosity. Wilde is remembered to this date with a stained glass window at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, while his tomb in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is a place of pilgrimage for the fans and the admirers.
Wilde's impact is not only literary; he is also considered one of the advocates of LGBTQ+ rights. Oscar Wilde's trial and imprisonment for his homosexual relations made people aware of the cruel treatment of homosexuals in Victorian society, and his life is still a subject of discussion regarding sexuality, identity, and freedom of art. Wilde is remembered and celebrated for his advocacy of individualism and his disdain for conformity even to this date.
Milestone moments
Oct 16, 1854
Birth of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, to Sir William Wilde, an oto-ophthalmologic surgeon, and Jane, Lady Wilde, a poet and nationalist.
He was born in St. Mark's Church and grew up in a lively family with many scholars and artists.
Wilde's childhood was filled with books, paintings, and the best society, which paved the way for his writing career.
Jun 19, 1874
Trinity College Dublin: Education.
Oscar Wilde was enrolled at Trinity College Dublin on the Royal School scholarship and was a bright student and an avid achiever of academic awards.
He studied at Trinity College and was exposed to the teachings of R. Y. Tyrell and J. P. Mahaffy, who introduced him to the works of Greek literature.
Due to his excellent performance at Trinity, Wilde was given a scholarship to study at Magdalen College, Oxford.
Jul 19, 1878
At Magdalen College, Oxford, for higher education.
In Magdalen College, Oxford, Wilde's interests in the intellectual and the aesthetic were further nurtured.
He associated with the aesthetic and decadent movements and was taught by Walter Pater and John Ruskin.
Wilde's individuality and the use of humor in his works started to develop at this time; he was awarded the Newdigate Prize in 1878 for the poem "Ravenna."
He obtained a double first in his degree.
Oct 8, 1890
Release of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
Oscar Wilde's only novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," was published in 1890—the novel deals with the themes of aestheticism, morality, and hedonism.
The novel was banned for its decadence and hints of homosexuality, but today, it is considered one of the best works of English literature.
Wilde's story is regarded as one of his most famous works, contributing to his reputation as a writer and a thinker.