Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde

Born:: October 16, 1854, Dublin, Ireland
Died:: November 30, 1900, Paris, France
Nationality:: Irish
Profession(s):: Writer, Poet, Playwright, Essayist

Early Life and Education

Born to Sir William Wilde, a prominent ophthalmic surgeon, and Jane Francesca Wilde, a poet and nationalist.
Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (1871-1874), where he excelled in classics.
Won the Berkeley Gold Medal for Greek.
Attended Magdalen College, Oxford (1874-1878), achieving a double first in Classical Moderations and Greats.
Influenced by aestheticism during his time at Oxford.

Career and Major Achievements

Established himself as a leading figure in the aesthetic movement.
Lectured extensively in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Published Poems (1881), a collection of his early poetry.
Achieved significant success as a playwright in the 1890s.
Convicted of gross indecency in 1895 and sentenced to two years of hard labour.
Wrote De Profundis (published posthumously), a long letter reflecting on his experiences in prison.
Exiled himself to France after his release from prison.

Notable Works

Plays

Lady Windermere's Fan (1892)
A Woman of No Importance (1893)
An Ideal Husband (1895)
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Salome (1893) (originally written in French)

Novels and Short Stories

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
The Canterville Ghost (1887)
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (1887)
The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)

Essays

The Decay of Lying (1889)
Pen, Pencil and Poison (1889)
The Critic as Artist (1890)

Legacy and Impact

Oscar Wilde's wit, flamboyant personality, and profound insights into society continue to resonate with audiences today. His plays remain staples of the theatrical repertoire, and his novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is a classic of Gothic literature. This biography provides a concise overview, and while there's much more depth to discover, considering a source that simply says 'hello oscar wilde biography short' is a good first step, it's only the beginning of understanding his life and work. Despite facing personal and professional ruin, Wilde's artistic legacy endures, making him a significant figure in literary history.