Skip to main content
2020-2021 Season

Oscar Wilde - A Timeline

An image of Oscar Wilde

by Charisse Baxter, dramaturg

Though most often remembered as a playwright, Wilde was a popular author of essays, poems, and short stories as well. His one novel is a classic, and his lectures and memorable aphorisms attracted followers and fans years before his plays became successful. His private life drew even more attention, but his writings and scripts have withstood the test of time. 1854 – Born Oct 16 in Dublin, Ireland 1871 – Attended Trinity College, Dublin 1874 – Attended Magdalen College in Oxford, England and was a distinguished scholar; became a leader in the Aesthetics movement and was noted for eccentric fashion and behavior 1882 – Toured the US as an Aesthetics lecturer; ‘I have nothing to declare but my genius’

Cartoon depicting Wilde's US Tour[/caption] 1884 – Married Constance Lloyd; they had two sons, lived in Chelsea, London 1887 – Became editor of Woman’s World magazine 1890 – Published his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray 1891 – Began a relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas 1892Lady Windemere’s Fan was produced in London; first critical as well as financial success on stage 1893 – Produced A Woman of No Importance; another hit. Published Salomé, an earlier play written in French that was not permitted to be staged because it incorporated Biblical characters. 1892 – Renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt staged Salomé in Paris 1895 Jan: An Ideal Husband opened in London Feb: The Importance of Being Earnest opened in London; Wilde sued Marquess of Queensbury, Lord Alfred’s father, for libel and lost

 April: Charged and tried for ‘gross indecency’, sentenced to two year’s hard labor

1897 – Released from prison, writes ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’ 1898 – Wrote letters on prison reform; Constance died 1900 – Spent three years wandering Europe, living with friends/in cheap hotels. Died Nov 30 in Paris of cerebral meningitis contracted in prison; his remains buried in France.

 

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

House of Desires Sneak Peek at the Museum of Art

March 16, 2024 03:06 PM
Friday March 1, 2024. The cast of The House of Desires performed three scenes in celebration of Spanish culture and the opening of our play, partnering with the "Spain and the Hispanic World" exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Guest Visits for House of Desires Creative Team

March 13, 2024 09:57 AM
The House of Desires creative team has made multiple connections across campus and disciplines this semester, and we are excited to share this unique production with so many university community members outside the Theatre and Media Arts department.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Sor Juana in Poetry and Letters

March 07, 2024 05:32 PM
Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz has sometimes been called "The Phoenix of America," as she is by far the most accomplished and globally read author to come out of the early Spanish-colonized Americas. Writing from New Spain (present day Mexico) , Sor Juana composed brilliant and biting poetry, wrote fiery letters in defense of her own creative spirit and the education of women, as well as dramas like the perfectly formed Spanish Golden Age style piece, House of Desires.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=