Oscar Wilde
Poet, playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde had a house in Goring-on-Thames for the summer of 1893
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Oscar Wilde had a house in Goring-on-Thames for the summer of 1893
Born
16th October 1854
Died
30th November 1900
Biography
Oscar Wilde was known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of late Victorian London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest.
In the summer of 1893 he rented a house with Lord Alfred Douglas (his lover) called ‘Ferry Cottage’, at Goring-on-Thames (after which he named the character Lord Goring). It was in this house that he began to write An Ideal Husband.
As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suffered a dramatic downfall and in 1895 was imprisoned for two years hard labour after being convicted of the offence of “gross indecency” with other men. He died in exile.
Further Information
The official website of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde; Biography and Works
Grid Reference
SU610810
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