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.
