Oscar Wilde

Keen to learn but short on time? Find out everything you need to know about the life and work of Oscar Wilde in just 50 minutes with this straightforward and engaging guide!

Oscar Wilde was one of the best-known writers of the 19th century, with works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray widely recognised as classics. This self-proclaimed “Professor of Aesthetics” became famous in fashionable London society thanks to his brilliant conversational skills and insightful opinions on art and literature, and found success across a range of genres, including literary criticism, plays and short stories. However, Victorian society was deeply conservative and intolerant in matters of sexuality, and Wilde was imprisoned in 1895 for his relationships with men. He died poor and forgotten three years after his release, but his image has since been restored and he is now celebrated as a key figure of modern literature.

In this book, you will learn about:

• Wilde’s most famous works, including The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest

• The literary movements and earlier writers who influenced his work and ideas

• His personal life, including his relationships with men, which led to him being cast out of fashionable society

ABOUT 50MINUTES.COM | Art & Literature

The Art & Literature series from the 50Minutes collection aims to introduce readers to the figures and movements that have shaped our culture over the centuries. Our guides are written by experts in their field and each feature a full biography, an introduction to the relevant social, political and historical context, and a thorough discussion and analysis of the key works of each artist, writer or movement, making them the ideal starting point for busy readers looking for a quick way to broaden their cultural horizons.