Romanticism was different from the other literary movements. It had a darker, more cynical undertone, and forced people to delve into the more horrific parts of humanity. And despite writers like William Wordsworth offering his sensitive words to the public, other writers took on grittier prose. From Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to the penny dreadfuls that were running rampant, there was one particular writer who stood out. And that writer was Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde was born in Ireland to a mother who would often read poetry to both him and his brother. His father was an ophthalmologic surgeon and was later knighted for his efforts. Wilde was taught at home by a governess, and from then on, he went to the Portora Royal School. Eventually, he attended the Trinity College in Dublin, where he was taught under scholars such as the likes of Arthur Palmer. During this time, Wilde indulged in philosophy and became a member of the University Philosophical Society. He published his first paper on emergent aestheticism, and eventually was awarded the Berkeley Gold Medal.

From then on, he became a freemason and went on to mock conventional society in rules. He would often wear his hair long and would bring what would be considered feministic, almost eccentric, decorations to his room. He became a proponent of the Aesthetic Movement and encouraged people to focus on beauty rather than a hidden message underneath.

In 1892, he became the lover of Lord Alfred Douglas, a much younger man and a nobleman. Because homosexuality was not accepted at the time, the two tried to keep the affair hidden. When the pair was exposed, Douglas’s father went to great lengths to expose him, and when he did, Wilde was taken into custody. Despite his friends trying to convince him to escape to France, Wilde stood his ground and fought. When questioned in court, Wilde described his relationship as a love “that dare not speak its name.” He was sentenced to prison later on. He was later released, and he penned The Ballad of Reading Gaol, his last work. He died on November 30th, 1900, and was buried in Paris at the Père Láchise Cemetery.

Wilde contributed to many journals during his lifetime. One journal included the Daily Chronicle, where he defended Charles Steward Parnell when he was falsely accused of murder. He also became the editor of The Woman’s World, where he dedicated many of its works to women and children. He published works like The Happy Prince and Other Tales, as well as A House of Pomegranates. Eventually, he would later publish his most famous work, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was criticized by the public for its homosexual depictions and sexual situations. Even so, Wilde defended his work, arguing that it was to teach readers a moral lesson.

Wilde laid the foundation for a new generation of writers. His work is mentioned in the TV show, Penny Dreadful. He’s paved the way for LGBT rights and became a prominent figure in both literature and the arts. He’s a man who managed to give himself a place in history and will be remembered for centuries to come.