Oscar Wilder

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish poet, playwright, and novelist celebrated for his brilliant wit, flamboyant personality, and sharp social commentary. Born in Dublin and educated at Trinity College and Oxford University, Wilde became a leading figure of the Aesthetic Movement, championing the philosophy of "art for art's sake." Renowned for his epigrams and elegant style, he rose to become one of the most popular playwrights in late Victorian London.

Wilde's only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), explores themes of beauty, morality, and duplicity, and remains a classic of Gothic fiction. His theatrical masterpieces include Lady Windermere's Fan (1892), An Ideal Husband (1895), and his comic triumph The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), widely regarded as one of the finest comedies in the English language. He also wrote enchanting fairy tales, such as The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888).

Wilde's career ended tragically when he was imprisoned in 1895 after a sensational trial. During his imprisonment, he composed the profound letter De Profundis, and after his release he wrote the poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898). He died in Paris in 1900, leaving a lasting legacy of wit, wisdom, and literary brilliance.