De Profundis

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish writer and poet who distinguished himself as a leader of London's school of Aesthetics in the late nineteenth century. He became famous for his long hair, flamboyant dress, green carnations and colorful, biting wit. His successful novels, social comedies, poetry and letters reflected his belief in the supremacy of art. In 1895, Wilde was convicted of gross indecency in a legal suit from the father of his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. He was imprisoned for two years, serving hard labor, during which time he wrote "De Profundis": a letter to Douglas discussing their relationship and the spiritual journey that Wilde had undergone in prison. The eighty page manuscript begins by examining Lord Alfred's behavior and negative influence on Wilde during their three-year relationship; the second part of the letter describes the harsh conditions of prison and the physical and emotional toll it took on the writer. He finishes the letter with a Christian analogy of himself as a symbol of art and truth.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish writer, playwright, and poet renowned for his wit, elegance, and sharp social commentary. A leading figure of the late Victorian aesthetic movement, Wilde achieved lasting fame through works such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere's Fan, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. His writing continues to be admired for its style, humour, and insight into the complexities of society and human nature.