1. The Life of OscarThe Life of Oscar FingalFingal
O'Flahertie WillsO'Flahertie Wills WildeWilde
By: Oscar De La Rosa
Born October 16, 1854 inBorn October 16, 1854 in
Dublin, Ireland; diedDublin, Ireland; died
November 30, 1900, in Paris,November 30, 1900, in Paris,
France.France.
He was an excellent poet,He was an excellent poet,
author, editor, and critic.author, editor, and critic.
““Always forgive your enemiesAlways forgive your enemies
- nothing annoys them so- nothing annoys them so
much.” Oscar Wildemuch.” Oscar Wilde
Father: Sir William WildeFather: Sir William Wilde
Mother: Jane FrancescaMother: Jane Francesca
WildeWilde
3. ChildhoodChildhood
Wilde’s father was a leading eye and ear surgeon and his motherWilde’s father was a leading eye and ear surgeon and his mother
was a successful journalist and poet.was a successful journalist and poet.
In his childhood, Oscar Wilde was a bright and bookish child.In his childhood, Oscar Wilde was a bright and bookish child.
He was one of six children.He was one of six children.
Wilde was homeschooled until the age of nine.Wilde was homeschooled until the age of nine.
After that, he attended Portora Royal School in Enniskillen.After that, he attended Portora Royal School in Enniskillen.
In the 1870’s Oscar Wilde attended both Trinity College, in Dublin,In the 1870’s Oscar Wilde attended both Trinity College, in Dublin,
and Magdalen College, in Oxford.and Magdalen College, in Oxford.
In Trinity College, he fell in love with Greek and Roman studies.In Trinity College, he fell in love with Greek and Roman studies.
During his days attending Magdalen College, Wilde wasDuring his days attending Magdalen College, Wilde was
considering converting to Catholicism; although, he was anconsidering converting to Catholicism; although, he was an
Anglican Christian.Anglican Christian.
6. Love LifeLove Life
Oscar Wilde met his childhood sweetheart, FlorenceOscar Wilde met his childhood sweetheart, Florence
Balcombe, in Dublin after his graduation from theBalcombe, in Dublin after his graduation from the
colleges.colleges.
Sadly, Florence was already married to Bram Stoker.Sadly, Florence was already married to Bram Stoker.
So, Oscar Wilde traveled to London where he wasSo, Oscar Wilde traveled to London where he was
introduced to Constance Lloyd.introduced to Constance Lloyd.
In 1884, Constance coincidentally visited Dublin, theIn 1884, Constance coincidentally visited Dublin, the
same place Oscar Wilde was at the time.same place Oscar Wilde was at the time.
So, Wilde decided to propose to her, and marry her onSo, Wilde decided to propose to her, and marry her on
May 29, 1884.May 29, 1884.
8. Oscar Wilde the AuthorOscar Wilde the Author
Oscar Wilde was first introduced to the world of poetryOscar Wilde was first introduced to the world of poetry
by his mother.by his mother.
His mother read him many Young Irelanders’ poems.His mother read him many Young Irelanders’ poems.
Oscar quickly developed a passion for these poets.Oscar quickly developed a passion for these poets.
Oscar believed inOscar believed in Aestheticism, which means heAestheticism, which means he
supported the art movement against social and politicalsupported the art movement against social and political
ideals in literature.ideals in literature.
Although Oscar Wilde wrote many short stories,Although Oscar Wilde wrote many short stories,
poems, and other forms of literature, he is mainlypoems, and other forms of literature, he is mainly
known for his only novel,known for his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray,The Picture of Dorian Gray,
his plays, and his indecent secret.his plays, and his indecent secret.
9. The SecretThe Secret
Oscar Wilde, unknowingly, ended his triumphant living.Oscar Wilde, unknowingly, ended his triumphant living.
Oscar Wilde attempted to press charges on the fatherOscar Wilde attempted to press charges on the father
of his homosexual lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, for libel.of his homosexual lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, for libel.
(libel is the communication of a false statement that(libel is the communication of a false statement that
harms someone’s reputation)harms someone’s reputation)
During the trial, evidence was exposed of OscarDuring the trial, evidence was exposed of Oscar
Wilde’s homosexuality.Wilde’s homosexuality.
So, as a result, all charges were dropped for the fatherSo, as a result, all charges were dropped for the father
of Lord Alfred Douglas, and instead Wilde ended upof Lord Alfred Douglas, and instead Wilde ended up
serving two years in prison for gross indecency.serving two years in prison for gross indecency.
He left to France after he was released from prisonHe left to France after he was released from prison
where he wrote his final book that talked of prison life.where he wrote his final book that talked of prison life.
10. In the EndIn the End
On November 25, Wilde had developedOn November 25, Wilde had developed
cerebral meningitis.cerebral meningitis.
Wilde told Robert Ross, an adoring fan ofWilde told Robert Ross, an adoring fan of
Wilde, to call a priest.Wilde, to call a priest.
The priest baptized Oscar Wilde to make himThe priest baptized Oscar Wilde to make him
officially part of the Catholic church.officially part of the Catholic church.
Wilde died on November 30, 1900 ofWilde died on November 30, 1900 of
meningitis, but no one knows exactly whatmeningitis, but no one knows exactly what
caused the cerebral meningitis.caused the cerebral meningitis.
