De Profundis

This book contains a letter written by Oscar Wilde to British poet and journalist Lord Alfred Douglas, first published in 1905. Composed whilst Wilde was imprisoned in Reading Goal, the letter talks about his romantic relationship with Douglas and their time spent together, as well as Wilde's spiritual development and identification with Jesus Christ. A fascinating and uniquely insightful letter that constitutes a must-read for those with an interest in the life and mind of this world-renowned writer. Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish poet and playwright who became one of the most popular in London during the 1880s and 1890s. Well-known for his sharp wit and extravagant attire, Wilde was a proponent of aestheticism and wrote in a variety of forms including poetry, fiction, and drama. He was famously imprisoned for homosexual acts from 1895 to 1897 and died at the age of 46, just three years after his release. Other notable works by this author include: -Picture of Dorian Gray- (1890), -Salome- (1891), and -The Importance of Being Earnest- (1895). Read & Co. Classics is proudly republishing this classic letter now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

Oscar Wilde, born in 1854, was a celebrated Irish playwright, poet, and author, known for his sharp wit and flamboyant style. He gained fame in London's literary scene during the 1880s and 1890s, producing iconic works like The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. Wilde's writing, known for its humor, irony, and satirical commentary on society, established him as a master of the genre of comedy of manners.Wilde's personal life was equally dramatic, marked by his relationships with men in an era when homosexuality was illegal. His career took a tragic turn in 1895 when he was imprisoned for ""gross indecency,"" after his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas was exposed. Wilde spent two years in prison, and upon release, he lived in exile in France, where he wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol reflecting on his suffering.Despite his fall from grace, Wilde's legacy endured through his works, which continue to be celebrated for their brilliance and wit. His plays and novels remain a significant part of the Western literary canon, admired for their critique of societal norms and exploration of human nature. Wilde died in 1900 in relative obscurity, but his work has since been recognized as foundational to modern literature.