Few besides Oscar Wilde could bring more to the concept of a gay writer who influenced history. Wilde's historical reach spanned literary accomplishments, both in poetry and fiction, and even martyrdom, making him the quintessential historical gay writer.

Literary Accomplishments

Wilde's literary works were of note due to their emphasis on contemporary societal failures, such as hedonism, duplicity, and an emphasis on physical beauty over spiritual worth. These themes were brought together most especially in his singular novel, "The Picture of Dorian Grey," a novel whose central "lesson" continues to be applicable to this day. In some ways it could be said that Wilde wrote not only about contemporary culture, but of human culture, as the timeless nature of his work has continued to be evident within modern societies.

Considered to be one of the Victorian age's most successful playwrights, Wilde achieved consistent success with some 4 long running plays. The height of his career was met with disaster, during his run of "The Importance of Being Earnest," when a trial initiated by Wilde led to his imprisonment, subsequent destitution, and early death.

The Fall of Wilde

The introduction to Alfred Douglas, a well off undergraduate at Oxford, spelled the beginning of the end for Wilde, as they became inseparable partners as well as lovers. Wilde had achieved financial success during their relationship and was capable of providing anything and everything that Douglas asked of him, whether it be material or sexual.

It was during this long tryst with Douglas that Wilde was introduced to the Victorian underworld of homosexual prostitution, where-largely uneducated-young men would be introduced to Johns through discrete third parties. This exposure began Wilde's involvement with many young male prostitutes. The marked difference these uneducated young men had between Wilde's previous lovers-many of whom were highly literate and educated-marked a sort of debasing of Wilde's sexuality. This debasing was also noted by Wilde in future works, as he looked back on his time hiring prostitutes in "De Profundis" with some degree of fondness and trepidation, "It was like feasting with panthers.."

The Two Trials

The involvement of Wilde with his consort, Douglas, led to Douglas' father, the Marquess of Queensbury, to begin harassing Wilde in attempts to end the affair. Words were spoke in anger between the two several times, and the initial reaction of Wilde was to remove himself from the entire situation. This decision changed later, however, when Wilde received a note from Douglas' father describing Wilde as a sodomite. The current legal description of libel involved framing someone in print as having committed a crime that they had not, while the current legal status of sodomy was felonious. Alfred Douglas himself was said to have egged on Wilde to begin legal proceedings against the Marquess, and Wilde relented on his previous stance, beginning Wilde vs Queensbury.

Unfortunately the prosecution set forth by Wilde would result in his sexuality being exposed, thereby clearing the Marquess of all charges. This in turn would lead the crown to pursue charges against Wilde-The Crown vs Wilde-that would lead to his imprisonment in 1895.

Martyrdom

The entirety of the two trials can be seen as little more than a farce enacted by a society that had little in the way of social justice. Some would call it a necessary evil to ensure that future generations are not persecuted in the same way simply because of who they choose to love.

As someone who now understands the fate of Oscar Wilde simply because of his sexuality, you should strive to recognize and eliminate such persecution in the culture in which you live.

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