Surprising influences on oscar wildes greatest works. Best oscar wilde books list of popular oscar wilde books. He competed for a scholarship to oxford universitys magdalen college and won it. Oscar wilde books list of books by author oscar wilde thriftbooks. He would go on to become one of the worlds most prolific writers, dabbling in everything from plays and. A popular playwright as well as a great novelist, wilde is known for his distinct and biting wit. Weve compiled an amazing list of the top 100 famous wilde quotes and sayings on life, love, poetry, people and more. Oscar wildes most famous novel the picture of dorian gray dell laurel edition, 6914 oscar wilde on. Wilde is remembered nowadays for his renowned epigrams, theater plays and also for the tragedy of his imprisonment for his homosexuality. Oscar wilde was an irish writer that lived and worked in london and paris in the 19th century. The famous books by oscar wilde today i come with a list of the oscar wilde s most famous books, a whole collection of incredible stories that you most likely will not miss. After his release, wilde left england for paris, where he wrote what may be his most famous poem, the ballad of reading gaol 1898, drawn from his prison experiences.
For example, when he was told to take a scene out of the importance of being earnest by the actormanager george alexander, he replied. He took an interest in the classics and was awarded the berkeley gold medal, the highest honor available to classics students at trinity. Decadence, conspiracy, and the most outrageous trial of the century. The picture of dorian gray dell laurel edition, lb145 oscar wilde on.
His most famous play and the uncontested number one on this list, the important of being earnest is a fantastic farcical comedy that simply must. He wrote a number of great plays as well as essays, poetry and novels. Best oscar wilde plays the must read plays by oscar wilde. His father, sir william wilde, was irelands leading ear and eye surgeon, who also published books on archaeology, folklore, and the satirist jonathan swift. Quotations by oscar wilde, irish dramatist, born october 16, 1854. He also came up with the comic masterpiece lady windermeres fan. However, the author is most known for his most famous novel, the picture of dorian gray 1890. Musicians like paul hewson also known as bono, sinead oconnor and bob geldof. Among his other notable writing is the soul of man under socialism 1891, which argues for individualism and freedom of artistic expression. Wilde led an utterly interesting life and was involved in many affairs and speculations. The world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and.
Oscar wilde books list of books by author oscar wilde. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. A celebrated 19th century irish writer, oscar wildes poems, stories, and plays, have earned him dedicated fans the world over. Oscar wilde biography, books and facts famous authors. Society and subversion in the plays of oscar wilde by sos eltis. In that time be became the toast of the literary scene in 19thcentury london, an international pariah, and finally, decades after he died, one of the most wellknown poets and dramatists in history. Writers like bram stoker the author of dracula, oscar wilde and brendan. For those that havent read one of the most famous classic books. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born to successful dublin intellectuals, sir william wilde and jane francesca wilde on october 16, 1854 at 21 westland row, dublin. Top 10 books by oscar wilde best book recommendations, best. In oscar wildes famous novel, dorian gray is tempted by henry wotton to sell his soul in order to hold on to beauty and youth. What are the names of most famous oscar wilde novels answers. List of the best oscar wilde books, ranked by voracious readers in the ranker community.
Apr 14, 2017 besides being one of the most famous english authors, oscar wilde was also one of the most intriguing people who have ever lived on earth. One of the greatest novelist, storyteller, poet and. Oscar wilde biography and list of works oscar wilde books. Dorian succumbs and murders the portrait painter basil haliward, who stands between him and his goal. In november 1895, having spent a short time in wandsworth prison, wilde was moved to hm prison, reading to serve the rest of his twoyear sentence of hard labour. Top 5 best oscar wilde books you should know discover walks. His father, sir william robert wills wilde, was a noted eyeear surgeon. During his own era he was one of london s most popular playwrights, and today his most famous works remain household names. His most famous play and the uncontested number one on this list, the important of being earnest is a fantastic farcical comedy that simply must be read by any actor, playwright or decent human being. Remembered as much for his imprisonment for homosexuality and early death, as for his literary talent, wilde cuts a fascinating figure, and. With commercial success and critical acclaim, theres no doubt that oscar wilde is one of the most popular authors of the last 100 years. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born on 16 october 1854 in dublin, ireland. Literary accomplishments apart, wilde was famous for his wit and flamboyance with men. Poet, playwright and novelist oscar wilde was born october 16, 1854 in dublin.
The picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde, the importance of being earnest by oscar wilde, the canterville ghost by oscar w. Here are his 40 most popular according to goodreads. Hodge london, england, 1948, published as the three trials of oscar wilde, university books new york, ny, 1956, new and enlarged 2nd edition published as famous trials, seventh series. Oscar wilde oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde, 18541900, irish author and wit, b. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde 16 october 1854 30 november 1900 was an irish poet and playwright. See all books authored by oscar wilde, including the picture of dorian gray, and the importance of. Oscar wildes best and most famous poems deal with his imprisonment for homosexuality, for love for women and his fascination with the mythology of egypt. A caricature of wilde by aubrey beardsley, the caption reads oscar wilde at work. No wellrounded collection of rare books should be without some of wilde s work. Knighted in 1864, oscars father was a distinguished ophthalmologic surgeon and philanthropist who wrote many books. While his most famous works, the picture of dorian gray and the importance of being earnest, live on, wilde is most frequently remembered for his wit. He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life. Oscar wilde was a noted irish playwright, novelist, poet and essayist, born in the middle of the nineteenth century into an intellectual family.
Jane wilde was a niece by marriage of the novelist, playwright and clergyman charles maturin 1780 1824, who may have. The 10 most popular misconceptions about oscar wilde. Aug 28, 2007 merlin holland is oscar wilde s grandson and the sole executor of his estate. Friday, october 16 marks 161 years since the birth of oscar wilde. He is considered one of the best londons playwrights in the victorian era. Oscar wilde was born at 21 westland row, dublin now home of the oscar wilde centre, trinity college, the second of three children born to an angloirish couple.
Essays oscar wilde born in 1854, oscar wilde was a prolific writer whose famous work includes novels like the picture of dorian gray originally published in 1890 and a play called the importance of being earnest which premiered in 1895. Oscar wilde was an irish writer, playwright, and poet who was born in dublin in 1854. I am so clever that sometimes i dont understand a single word of what i am saying. Besides being one of the most famous english authors, oscar wilde was also one of the most intriguing people who have ever lived on earth. There, he became a freemason, even though he was fascinated with. Amongst his most famous works include the poem, the ballad of the reading gaol, the novel the picture of dorian gray and the play, the importance of being earnest.
Oscar wildes infamous wit, taste for scandal, and gift for revealing the. During his own era he was one of londons most popular playwrights, and today his most famous works remain household names. In 1874, twentyyearold oscar wilde headed over to england to study at oxford. Unperturbed, wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of latevictorian london. Apr 12, 20 oscar wilde was an irish writer and poet. His mother, who wrote under the name speranza, was a revolutionary poet and an authority on celtic myth and folklore after attending portora royal school, enniskillen 186471. Oscar wilde quotes author of the picture of dorian gray. Surely it sounds the name of oscar wilde, since it is one of the most famous writers in history. In the soul of man under socialism, wilde writes that a map of the world that does not include utopia. It will help you choose your best oscar wilde book.
Wilde was born of professional and literary parents. Oscar wilde was a flamboyant and vivacious playwright of the 19th century. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Oscar wilde, author of importance of being earnest, was one of the greatest of irish writers and playwrights known around the world. Oscar wilde biography facts, childhood, family life. This scene you feel is superfluous cost me terrible exhausting labour and heartrending nervewracking strain. Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes. Top 10 oscar wilde quotes famous quotes at brainyquote. In the description of the video you can find links to the online version, epub, mobi and pdf. As a young man, he attended trinity college in dublin, and then applied for, and won, a demyship at magdalen college at oxford university. Here are 15 of his best quotes for writers, readers and artists in honor of his 160th birthday. Oscar wildes most famous novel the picture of dorian gray.
Oscar wilde cultivated an image of himself as an idle. Today he is remembered for plays and beautiful words that have been quoted below in a compilation of 70 brilliant oscar wilde quotes. And in 1991, she was awarded an honorary oscar in recognition of her entire career as an actress. List of books and articles about oscar wilde online. Always forgive your enemies nothing annoys them so much. Oscar wilde books biography and list of works author of. He was a significant storyteller, playwright, erudite and a true 19 th century fashion icon. Oscar wilde reached the epitome of popularity, and literary brilliance in an era when the everflourishing victorian era was sweeping through the colonial empires of the world, and of course in its very home london. Oscar wilde was a noted irish playwright, novelist, poet and essayist.
About famous oscar wilde quotes playwright, poet, and essayist oscar wilde may be the most famous quotesmith in literary history. She is most famous for her oscar winning performance in two women in 1961. Jun 14, 2019 list of the best oscar wilde books, ranked by voracious readers in the ranker community. Top 10 books by oscar wilde best book recommendations.
Wilde and taylor court transcripts, edited and introduced by h. Oscar wilde s best and most famous poems deal with his imprisonment for homosexuality, for love for women and his fascination with the mythology of egypt. Oscar wildes most famous novel the picture of dorian gray dell laurel edition, 6914. In 1864, he was knighted for his services in the censuses of ireland.
From his outsize celebrity in victorian london to his authorship of fiction, drama, and poetry that uniquely captured his era, its fair to say that wilde succeeded on both counts. May 06, 2003 merlin holland is oscar wilde s grandson and the sole executor of his estate. Oscar wilde, in full oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde, born october 16, 1854, dublin, irelanddied november 30, 1900, paris, france, irish wit, poet, and dramatist whose reputation rests on his only novel, the picture of dorian gray 1891, and on his comic masterpieces lady windermeres fan 1892 and the importance of being earnest 1895. Review a professional critics assessment of a service, product, performance, or artistic or literary work. A charming, bittersweet tale criticising the behavior of the upper classes. The 10 most popular misconceptions about oscar wilde books. The best books on oscar wilde five books expert recommendations. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, the early 1890s saw him become one of the most popular playwrights in london. On october 16, 1854, oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born in dublin, ireland. Oscar was two years younger than his brother, william willie wilde. He is most famous for his sophisticated, brilliantly witty plays, which were the first since the comedies of sheridan and goldsmith to have both dramatic and literary merit. We conclude this list with wildes most famous poem. The everquotable oscar wilde once said, anybody can make history.
Oct 16, 2018 on october 16, 1854, oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born in dublin, ireland. Oscar wilde books biography and list of works author. For those that havent read one of the most famous classic. Discover the oscar wilde masterpieces that earned this literary giant his. It is a carefully cultivated image that wilde developed. Sep 10, 2017 oscar wilde, author of importance of being earnest, was one of the greatest of irish writers and playwrights known around the world.
Scarlet marquess, the first unabridged publication of the famous libel trial. A celebrated 19th century irish writer, oscar wilde s poems, stories, and plays, have earned him dedicated fans the world over. Author oscar wilde was known for his acclaimed works including the picture of dorian gray and the importance of being earnest, as well as his brilliant wit, flamboyant style and infamous. Wilde rose to immense fame in london during the 1890s as a playwright. He also authored a number of books on medicine, archeology and folklore. A popular perception persists of oscar wilde as an idle aesthete. Oscar fingall oflahertie wills wilde, 18541900, irish author and wit, b. Born in dublin 1854 in the midst of an industrial revolution, where the art of letters was taught at an early age.