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Line 12: − + + − + + − + − + − In the past he was thought to have died of syphilis, but more recent studies by Dr Ashley Robins of the University of Cape Town in South Africa report that he died of meningoencephalitis, following a serious ear infection.<ref>http://classiclit.about.com/cs/profileswriters/p/aa_oscarwilde.htm+ − The 1995 film about Oscar Wilde, starring Stephen Fry*, omitted any reference to his taste for boys, in order to give the false impression that he was a victim and a martyr. − − + +
→Biography
One of his witticisms recorded from this period is "Little boys should be obscene and not heard."
One of his witticisms recorded from this period is "Little boys should be obscene and not heard."
His pronounced pederastic tastes are confirmed by many letters and poems.
His pronounced pederastic tastes are confirmed by many letters and poems.
As Wilde became a successful playwright, Douglas made use of him for money and the relationship was far from blissful, as Wilde later recalled in "De Profundis". Douglas detested his father, who was (wrongly as it happens)concerned that Wilde was corrupting his son.
As Wilde became a successful playwright, Douglas made use of him for money and the relationship was far from blissful, as Wilde later recalled in "De Profundis". Douglas detested his father, who was (wrongly as it happens) concerned that Wilde was corrupting his son.
In 1895, Douglas persuaded Wilde to bring a libel case against Queensberry, with the aim of obtaining a large amount of damages. This prosecution involved both of them denying that they were homosexuals. Wilde denied it categorically to his own lawyer and to the court under oath.
In 1895, Douglas persuaded Wilde to bring a libel case against Queensberry, with the aim of obtaining a large amount of damages. This prosecution involved both of them denying that they were homosexuals. Wilde denied it categorically to his own lawyer and to the court under oath.
He lost the case as Queensberry, aided by the London police, easily found a string of 13 rent-boys willing to testify against him. Even the pageboy at the Savoy hotel reported Wilde's behaviour.
He lost the case as Queensberry, aided by the London police, easily found a string of 13 rent-boys willing to testify against him. Even the pageboy at the Savoy hotel was on the list.
The Crown prosecution service then had no choice but to prosecute Wilde on criminal charges, and he was duly convicted and sentenced to 2 years in prison, a minimal sentence as he could have been liable for five years for perjury and contempt of court. Douglas fled abroad.
The Crown prosecution service then had no choice but to prosecute Wilde on criminal charges, and he was duly convicted and sentenced to 2 years in prison, a minimal sentence as he could have been liable for five years for perjury and contempt of court. Douglas fled abroad.
After the sentence was announced, the police waited 48 hours before arresting Wilde, as it was usual to give men convicted under this law (which was intended as a deterrent) a chance to escape to the Continent. Wilde however did not leave and in effect chose to go to jail, greatly underrating the effect hardship would have on one habituated to ease and luxury.
After the sentence was announced, the police waited 48 hours before arresting Wilde, as it was usual to give men convicted under this law (which was intended as a deterrent) a chance to escape to the Continent. Wilde however did not leave and in effect chose to go to jail, greatly underrating the effect hardship would have on one habituated to ease and luxury.
Wilde's wife divorced him, his plays were taken off the stage and he was declared bankrupt, as he had been, under Douglas's influence, living beyond his means. After his release he went to France and for a short while tried to live with Douglas, who was still living a life of carefree promiscuity with all the boys he could obtain, but the two men soon parted. Before his death in Paris in 1900 he wrote ''The Ballad of Reading Gaol'' and ''De Profundis''.
Wilde's wife divorced him, his plays were taken off the stage and he was declared bankrupt, as he had been, under Douglas's influence, living beyond his means. After his release he went to France and for a short while tried to live with Douglas, who was still living a life of carefree promiscuity with all the boys he could obtain, but the two men soon parted. Before Wilde's death in Paris in 1900 he wrote ''The Ballad of Reading Gaol'' and ''De Profundis''.
<ref>Richard Ellman, Oscar Wilde.(Random House, 1989).
Neil McKenna. The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde, Random House, 2011.
Richard Ellman, Oscar Wilde.(Random House, 1989).
Neil McKenna. The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde, Random House, 2011, page 9 etc
Julie Anne Taddeo, Lytton Strachey and the Search for Modern Sexual Identity: The Last Eminent Victorian (Routledge, 2002).
Julie Anne Taddeo, Lytton Strachey and the Search for Modern Sexual Identity: The Last Eminent Victorian (Routledge, 2002).
Complete Works of Oscar Wilde.</ref>
Complete Works of Oscar Wilde.</ref>
The 1995 film about Oscar Wilde, starring Stephen Fry*, omitted any reference to his taste for boys, in order to give the false impression that he was a victim and a martyr.
In the past he was thought to have died of syphilis, but more recent studies by Dr Ashley Robins of the University of Cape Town in South Africa report that he died of meningoencephalitis, following a serious ear infection.<ref>http://classiclit.about.com/cs/profileswriters/p/aa_oscarwilde.htm</ref>
==Wilde's sexuality==
==Wilde's sexuality==