The Wilde stuff (late Victorian/Art Nouveau period)

The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 14, 1954. His father was a respected surgeon and his mother a writer and playwright.

He began composing poetry as soon as he could hold and pen, and in his later years because immensely popular for his plays. He was the guest of honor at every party for his extraordinary ability to set the room rocking with laughter at his bright manner and lively wit. He was loved by everyone, and he loved people, but loved himself the best...and everyone knew it.

In 1892 he arrived in New York City and began a year long tour of North America. When a customs inspector asked him if he had anything to declare he replied, "Nothing but my genius."

Wilde helped to found the Aesthetic Movement (or "art for art's sake") under the influence of writer and critic Walter Pater.

He himself wrote over over 200 plays and poems, including Salome, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere's Fan, and An Ideal Husband. A comprehensive list is in the links below.

His life was riddled with personal drama and complications. In 1884 Wilde married Constance Mary Lloyd (1858-1898) with whom he would have two sons; Cyril (1885-1915), who was killed during World War I, and Vyvyan (1886-1976), who would become an author himself. He had numerous affairs, including male lovers, the last of whom was Lord Alfred Douglas, "Bosie". Wilde argued against religion his whole life, but converted to Catholicism on his deathbed in 1900.

Some of his popular quotes:

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

I love acting. It is so much more real than life.

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

Arguments are to be avoided; they are always vulgar and often convincing.

The only way to treat a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty, and to someone else if she is plain.

I can resist anything but temptation.

Blanche

sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/wilde_oscar.shtml

http://www.online-literature.com/wilde/

www.readprint.com/author-90/Oscar-Wilde-books

http://www.readprint.com/quotes-90/Oscar-Wilde-quotes

http://www.readprint.com/quotes-90/Oscar-Wilde-quotes