What did playwright, Oscar Wilde, go to prison for on May 25, 1895?
Playwright Oscar Wilde was convicted of sodomy on May 25, 1895. The famed writer of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest brought attention to his private life in a feud with Sir John Sholto Douglas, whose son was intimately involved with Wilde.
Homosexuality was a criminal offense and serious societal taboo at this time in Britain. Wilde had gone back and forth between hiding his sexual orientation and attempting to gain some measure of public acceptance. After Douglas, began spouting his objections to Wilde’s behavior to the public, Wilde felt compelled to sue him for libel.
Wilde served his two years and then spent the last three years of his life in exile. He died at the age of 45.
More Info:
www.history.com
What are your thoughts on this subject?
42 Comments

ninakamwene
Got it. Poor Man, he should have been born now. RIP.
9
Jun 8, 2019 12:11AM

Chris Dewen
It goes with blinkered ignorance, Daniel.
9
Jan 17, 2017 11:47PM

Kenneth Stevens
So you think homosexuals should be imprisoned?
8
Jan 20, 2017 1:15AM

Val Wilkinson
Daniel Halley Aha, another ignorant right-wing yank?
8
Jan 21, 2017 7:44PM

Val Wilkinson
HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST THAT, JIM REDDEN! Great Britain is so much richer for a wider acceptance of sexual preferences, gender alignment, religious beliefs and of course race. I wish the US had the same level of acceptance in these key areas.
Any failings of this country are due to determined unpicking in many areas by right wing politicians, and for not following the wisdom of investing in the country from 2010 as the Obama regime wisely did to repair the nation.
I really wish the US all the best with your new president, but I am very fearful for your country.
7
Jan 21, 2017 7:37PM

Brendan Grainger
Amazing writer and colourful character. He would have felt quite at home in the 21st Century.
7
May 15, 2019 2:55AM

littledick
Of course, I assume the son of a "sir" was not charged. Was the intimate act consensual? I can't imagine Wilde forcing himself on anyone. And if the medievally religious right out there claim that according to Leviticus, such an act warranted the death penalty, so did picking up sticks on the Sabbath and taking the Lord's name in vain. If that entire code would be adhered to, probably 90% of the American population would be executed!
6
Jun 28, 2019 12:07PM

Lydia Coutts
The only crime was how Wilde and countless others (including Alan Turing) were treated simply because of who they were. Wilde wasn’t just imprisoned; he was sentenced to two years’ hard labour, which was the maximum permitted. It’s no wonder he died so tragically young. What a senseless loss.
It would help all humanity if we could learn from our ancestors’ egregious mistakes. But unfortunately there will always be morons intent on taking us back to the dark ages. The sort of idiots who consider the word ‘progressive’ an insult. 🙄
5
Jul 5, 2019 4:35PM
Hilary Sykes
It didn't insinuate that homosexuals should go to prison, it merely asked what Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for - and that is the answer; doesn't mean we agree with it!
5
Jun 22, 2019 12:18PM

Spencer
Spg and Steve both wrote a loving tribute to this man on their blog. Its amazing how things have changed. Now we have two for our writers in their 60's boldly coming out of the closet and getting married before their native British friends, family and neighbours. Its nice to live in a world where people can be themselves.
1
Jan 25, 2020 11:58PM

Trevor Craddy
His tomb in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris is a disgrace, regularly defaced by so called LBGT adherents who 'worship' his memory.
3
Jul 2, 2019 2:24PM
Maggie Schmidt
Poor man...
2
Jul 1, 2019 1:39AM

Gautam Sinha
It was another age & time.....with different values. Wish he was around now !
1
Jun 30, 2019 3:09AM

stellaclaude
Yes, and if the Republicans had their way, we’d all be going back to the dark ages!
4
Jun 26, 2019 9:08PM

karen twirly
Knew that.
0
Jun 26, 2019 6:50PM

Isabel Laing
Laws have come a long way since then.
1
Jun 26, 2019 12:13AM

Criona Walsh
Got it wrong
0
Jun 14, 2019 6:49PM

Karin Johansson
Carolyn Kluttz, come out of your bubble. Nothing is right in your comment.
2
Jun 12, 2019 1:55PM

Carolyn Kluttz
Val Wilkinson, Don’t be .. he’s the best president we’ve had in decades !! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
4
Jun 10, 2019 10:51PM

Suzanne Beer
No idea
0
Jun 9, 2019 1:22AM
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