Oscar Wilde Biography: His "Wild" Life

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[@Biographics]

Hello everyone. We've been experimenting with a bit of a podcast (a few people were asking for audio versions so they can get Biographics while doing other things)! Fair warning: none of these are new biographies, but rather me having a bit more of a free form chat around the script. I'd love to know what you think, if these are useful, wanted etc :). Thanks, Simon. Links: iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/biographics-history-one-life-at-a-time/id1450405839?mt=2 Sitcher: www.stitcher.com/podcast/biographics-history-one-life-at-a-time Website: biographics.blubrry.net/ RSS: biographics.blubrry.net/feed/podcast/ Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6N9PS4QXF1D0OWPk0Sxtb4 Trolled people: open.spotify.com/show/0JzjzwJcRqFZ3BcACtahh8?si=MG5HSm1oT0GTNm_r8_HQcg

[@tararay1801]

I agree that the comparison to O.J. Simpson is not only ridiculous but wildly inappropriate. Tiger Woods took a terrific public fall related to his sexual liaisons...none of them illegal or murderous. I used your work in my (American) English class, but I gave a strong caveat prior to viewing just to address this single line. I would remove it.

[@paddybpaddyb9940]

Please please please try to pronounce things correctly, if you don't know, ask someone, don't just guess. Cadogan, Bosie et al. Otherwise a good effort. Am I being a pedant?

[@paddybpaddyb9940]

@Jeff Oliver Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm British like him so one of us should know how to pronounce things a bit like that old skank from 'The Weakest Link' garbling the words as if they learnt the language from short-wave radio. Still, cheers for the reply. Have a good day.

[@karenrapoport3711]

Tara Ray I think you missed the point of the analogy. He went from being a huge success, loved by the public to then being accused of criminal acts (as you know being gay or engaging in the act of sodomy was a crime) to then convicted and imprisoned and then when he finally got out gone were his friends and money (although OJ didn’t get convicted of the crime he actually committed and went to jail for something petty). But It’s the downturn of events that were similar. As far as the actual PERSON, they have nothing in common. One was a great writer who happened to be gay (and a bit of a pretentious egomaniac) and the other was a football player who actually DID commit the ACTUAL horrible crime he was accused of. OJ still lives but will always be shunned for the murderer we all know him to be and poor Oscar died a sad lonely death. :(

[@karenrapoport3711]

Jeff Oliver I agree. People seem to be obsessed at being outraged on someone else’s behalf, regardless if it’s warranted in its context or if it’s even wanted by the supposed group being “attacked”. If you are going to attack someone’s comments then at the very LEAST ask for clarification before you go on some moral high ground rampage. Oh and news flash, defending homosexuality is not brave. This is 2019. Not even the Pope wants to attack gays anymore. The majority of people in the western world couldn’t care less about someone’s sexual preferences and are all appalled at the treatment homosexuals had to endure and still endure in parts of the world (and nation) run by religious fundamentals. . Save your anger for actual biggots not cool British guys who give me awesome biographies to listen too while I’m on my tread climber!

[@sunlion8866]

''To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.'' - Oscar Wilde

[@chinhnguyenhuu6499]

"Nothing is rarer in a man than an act of his own" - Oscar Wilde, De Profundis.

[@bizonc]

One of my fav quotes. I see it as living The life of the Mind and/or the life of action. Take in the world.

[@paddy2875]

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” - Oscar Wilde

[@acajudi100]

You can never forget..

[@weirdead829]

@@acajudi100 no and I struggle with forgiveness... Revenge is easier..lol

[@andersonportillo3730]

That’s nasty.

[@paddy2875]

@@andersonportillo3730 it sure is. But it is very effective when you do it with a smile.

[@ferociousgumby]

A variation: Be happy. It drives your enemies crazy

[@adqueen2548]

Imagine Wilde having Twitter

[@mangot589]

AD Queen that’s interesting to think if he would even use it🤔

[@velocitygirl8551]

Lol YESSSS!!

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

🤣🤣🤣

[@stevieandrew9008]

AD Queen that would be amazing!

[@lilychu8912]

I've also thought Wilde and Mark Twain would be brilliant at Twitter. Able to get across witty and profound thoughts in a few characters. Some Twain quotes: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." "Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company." "“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Both he and Wilde were ahead of their time. [Good work, Biographics!]

[@CFinch360]

His last words supposedly "It's me or this wallpaper, one of us has got to go" I don't know if that's true but it seems in line with his famous wit.

[@artofthepossible7329]

As far as I'm aware it is true.

[@loditx7706]

It's true; it just gets paraphrased a lot.

[@tessoh-qs1ts]

C Finch True or not, it is also one of my favorite 'quotes'. It is a classic.

[@tessoh-qs1ts]

@Rob Faz What were his last words? So glad we still have witnesses.

[@tessoh-qs1ts]

@Rob Faz Fully aware that as a homosexual, the Catholic church would reject him? If he was baptized Protestant & converted to Catholicism he would have to denounce both his beliefs & sexuality. Or maybe because that's where you find all the aesthetical queer priests? Sorry for the sarcasm. You appear to be an excellent biographer (she said with zero credentials)

[@piperar2014]

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough for them to make you a villain." - Oscar Wilde

[@09arjans]

@arsenewenger

[@sexobscura]

He certainly was perceptive and witty. A shame he couldn't have applied it to his living existence

[@a.s.l711]

true for a long time employee.

[@waynej2608]

@@sexobscura Well, he did. He at least tried to apply it.

[@reneroux2391]

@@sexobscura wym? He did

[@mag5020]

“I can resist anything but temptation” - Oscar Wilde

[@KDL861]

Mag I love that quote! 😂

[@mattasticmattattack8546]

@@KDL861 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤❤❤😁👍

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

The best quote of all

[@sampuatisamuel9785]

Mag. This is my most favourite Oscar Wilde quote

[@penelopepitstop13]

@ Sam Puati Samuel, Hi. Agreed. 🐶 PEACE! 🚭

[@aurorahill9551]

I have adopted my favourite Wilde quote as a life motto: Life is too important to be taken seriously.

[@ingedetroia7189]

That's my favorite too! I read it about 30 years ago in a newspaper, I was flashed and amused, I wanted to know who was that guy saying such a paradoxical and therefore wise thing (deep truth mostly seem paradoxical to the mind). That's how I became a fan of Oscar Wilde. I use this quote also for my channel 😊 Greetings from Vienna!

[@aurorahill9551]

@@ingedetroia7189 Greetings!!

[@getstarted7168]

Love it!

[@sajeelmemon439]

wtf😂

[@vanguard4065]

"Every saint has a past every sinner a future." Oscar Wilde

[@sexobscura]

that was actually Morrissey

[@naseebmann8142]

No it was jcole

[@CathyD1976]

The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

[@emjay_mcri]

@eric Derek, one's soul is saved through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, not through the changing of denominations. Being Catholic doesn't save anyone, only Jesus can.

[@Dearest_Kenyetta]

@@emjay_mcri Amen.

[@brightthunderbird7831]

"What a funny little man you are" had me dying

[@stacyyoust]

I wonder did he get his inheritance

[@marvenenolan2508]

How little people have really changed m

[@radugheorghe2596]

*That moment when your employer can't afford to fire you.*

[@devinweathers7520]

Imagine oscar wild interact with Rick

[@icebboylol8822]

@@devinweathers7520 which Rick?

[@FantasyNerd15]

"I cannot choose my hundred favourite books because I have only written five," --Oscar Wilde

[@amirahkukan782]

Bloody brilliant!

[@davidmoreno5258]

Also remember that a woman screamed at Wilde as he was being arrested "If you were my husband, I'd feed you arsenic!" to which Wilde replied, "If I was your husband, I would drink it." There never was or never will be someone as savage as Oscar Wilde

[@redpanda146]

I always though it was “If I Were Your Wife I’d Put Poison in Your Tea!” “If I Were Your Husband I’d Drink It” from Winston Churchill

[@carmelpule6954]

@@redpanda146 The words are famous and supposedly came out in a verbal duel between Lady Astor (Britain’s first active woman MP) and, from a different wing of the Conservative party, Winston Churchill. Lady Astor: ‘If I were your wife I would put poison in your coffee.’ Churchill: ‘Nancy, if I were your husband I would drink it.’ It is one of several spats that these two are said to have had and regular readers will not be surprised that the conversation is absolutely undocumented. The joke is first found in print in 1899 (sans Churchill); and first associated with Churchill in 1949, and, then, first associated with Churchill and Astor in 1952. From the US .All this has been established by an excellent page that has tracked this exchange back to 1899 and the US press. I’m intrigued above all, by the way that the joke evolved afterward in Britain. I’ve spent a lot of time in the last few years following urban legends, but this is the first time I’ve tracked a simple apocryphal exchange. The first thing to say is that the story crosses the Atlantic in the by early 1900, and the first references note its American origin.

[@rwwf2036]

Wrong, that was Winston Churchill.

[@lezel4swarts]

🤣🤣🤣

[@angelalim4638]

Did they communicated in Irish?

[@foxyboiiyt3332]

Some bring joy wherever they go, others whenever they go. Best quote ever

[@paulkinsella6536]

There are two tragedies in this life, one is not getting what you want and the other is getting it!

[@paulkinsella6536]

When a man once loved a woman, he'll do anything for her except love her again.

[@corgis713]

"Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing." - Oscar Wilde

[@M-20-100]

That’s one of my favourite of Wilde’s aphorisms, but the quote is actually ... “The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing”.

[@SistoActivitatemAtm]

Vincent Mian I just read the quote in the book, its from Henry, and there's no mention to "cynic". Original commenter was right, imo.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

Some Things, Never Change ! ;-)

[@HungNguyen-qm2bp]

@@M-20-100 "And the sentimentalist is one who puts an absurd value on everything and doesn't know the a market price of anything single thing." (from my memory so probably not accurate word for word)

[@natsinthebelfry]

Every time I see the man, I can't help but think of what good casting they did with Stephen Fry in "Wilde"s eponymous role.

[@joansmith3296]

Yes! Fry really was wonderful That was inspired casting. I got the opportunity years a go to see Liam Neeson playing Wilde in the Judas Kiss on Broadway. Neeson also played a wonderful Wilde.

[@loditx7706]

@@joansmith3296 Yes, Stephen Fry owned that role. Oscar would be proud.

[@loditx7706]

Mr Lesir No, because he is a polymath, like Wilde was, also quick witted, hysterically funny , able to play a wide range of characters believably, and gives back to the world more than he takes. Actually, although he wrote plays I don't think that Wilde ever acted professionally.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

and jude law as bosie

[@kimmieess6171]

Absolutely agree. Jude Law was a great pick for Bosie, as well.

[@AntaresSelket]

Oscar Wilde is one of my all time favorite authors, and as a teenager and young woman, he was also an obsession. I thought I knew the major events of his life and death. However, as terrible as death is, I was not aware that he received medical treatment so close to the end. I read somewhere that he died of a respiratory infection, but he obviously had so much more going on than pneumonia. His death sounded horrific. I cherish Oscar Wilde because he was a man of modern thought. He attempted to be what society expected, but he couldn't forsake his true self. In many different ways, he forged the way for many alternative and artistic lifestyles, while enriching the world with his literature.

[@kariencorrigan7063]

His niece is also a treasure, especially in feminist movements. However, this video is very poor in historical accuracy - Robbie was with him till the end and it was his jail time that ended him, there was no cure outside a better society. Not too different from today.

[@kimberlyk1795]

@@kariencorrigan7063 a 'better society' to accept a pedophile?

[@janetphillips2875]

Wonderful words! Have you seen his great grandson? What a good looking young man!!

[@yasirpanezai5690]

He died of meningitis

[@douglaswaggoner7487]

A quote I like is, “Punctuality is a waste of time.”

[@zhancunwang5899]

a thief of time rather

[@paulkinsella6536]

There are more good people in the world than bad, they're just harder to find!

[@sanjli3852]

So Henry of him.

[@NamTran-bq3tc]

could anyone please explain this quote for me ? Thanks

[@douglaswaggoner7487]

@@NamTran-bq3tc To quote a song: “If you don’t know I ain’t gonna tell you. From now on it’s up to you fella. Words don’t count at a time like this.” You had better start living, friend.

[@Carols989]

i love how basically people tried to destroy wilde's lives screaming: YOU ARE GAY!!! and he just went: i'm also busy

[@mojoarmstretch7261]

King of oneliners. And of cool.

[@jenniferharris61]

B_Potassio RIGHT

[@terry4137]

So gaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

[@angelajohnson5728]

You are wrong. First off, Wilde unfortunately had but one life, not lives. Second, no one called him gay, unless they were referring to his carefree, untroubled manner. No one called homosexuals gay at the time, use of the word "gay" to signify a person's sexual orientation was popularized many years later by Cary Grant in the film "Bringing up Baby."

[@benjamenYTDeadTheGamer]

@@angelajohnson5728 Whoosh!

[@squamish4244]

My favourite quote of his: "The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young."

[@lzad3764]

So so true. I’ve never heard this one. I’ll be using this one for sure, but giving proper credit for copyright reasons.😉

[@squamish4244]

It is a profound quote.

[@bingola45]

@@squamish4244 I wish I'd said that...

[@squamish4244]

I only recently came across it, and it made an impression partly because I just turned 40, and while I am far from 'old', I know that 20-year-olds view me as ancient. But in my own mind, of course, part of me is still my own 20-year-old self :)

[@jojo-xk8ri]

Forgive me but I dont get it?

[@edgaralonzo7556]

"Always be yourself everybody is already taken" ~oscar wilde

[@smokingduck507]

My favourite quote!

[@janetlieb2507]

Live that quote!

[@omgitsjoetime]

The Picture of Dorian Gray was a master piece. Best book I have ever read.

[@acajudi100]

Omgitsjoetime T I agree...

[@philkaseyewitness6912]

The happy prince was the best movie ever I loved it

[@daisiiviolet4021]

I totally agree! My favourite book!

[@Useaname]

@Will Fryer 2 man or tran?

[@aniladoda3181]

Will Fryer 2 imagine having such pathetic taste

[@donovanberserk4993]

"Don't believe everything you read on the internet" -Oscar Wilde

[@Karma-zp7pb]

😂😂😂

[@mollietenpenny4093]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ReallyRyan.]

Pretty sure Abraham Lincoln said that, but whatever lol

[@bonnetbasketful9362]

That's a saying by Hitler😊😅

[@calliemacedo]

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance" --Oscar Wilde

[@sebastiangruszczynski1610]

"you will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit" - Oscar Wilde

[@MrVvulf]

I'd like to add an interesting story regarding a link between "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Sign of Four". In 1889 the publisher of Lippincott's Monthly was touring Europe recruiting and commissioning authors for future works to appear in the magazine. One evening, he entertained two guests at the Langham Hotel in London. Those guests were Oscar Wilde and Conan Doyle, who became friends. Some argue that Sherlock Holmes' personality quirks were inspired by Oscar Wilde.

[@bingola45]

...including sodomy. I've yet to read anything which confirms that, though.

[@kaydgaming]

A Study in Scarlet was published in 1887

[@bingola45]

@@kaydgaming Is that about sodomy? I'll have to read it again.

[@Kalandra86]

It’s not.

[@kaydgaming]

bingola45 - It was the first Sherlock Holmes novel

[@deathlist94]

My favourite Oscar Wilde qoute: Bigamy is one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.

[@randomalienfrommars0567]

yeah I was like watch out Mr. Wilde your gay is showing. Hard. (do not love the adultery connotations tho)

[@loditx7706]

I liked "to lose one parent may be regarded as a tragedy. To lose two seems more like carelessness."

[@Karma-zp7pb]

That took me a minute😂

[@kwaichangcaine8234]

Hahaha he had some good ones 😄

[@paddybrennan3644]

Bent as a 9$ bill

[@kristinparish2834]

"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all."

[@shreeyamittal1771]

Funny, how much this reminds me of Dorian Gray

[@anneonymous9680]

@@shreeyamittal1771 well it was in the preface of the book

[@gregoryholstein4224]

@@anneonymous9680 The Picture of Dorian Gray is my all time favourite book. It's unlike any book I've ever read. Cheers.

[@riyak.7393]

@@shreeyamittal1771 Dorian Gray was incredibly written

[@verablexitasap858]

Amazing how he even looks so ahead of his day... so modern compared to other photos of 19th century folks

[@Bombadil-ez9ns]

He looks like Cameron Crowe.

[@TheSuzberry]

You implied that dressing a very young boy as a girl was unusual. Young boys were dressed as girls until they were approximately 7 year old. This was not considered unusual then as it would be now

[@cautionTosser]

correct. as far as it goes. we as a society still have a long way to go in this area. what does it mean to "dress as a girl"? or as a boy? clothes are for style and function. assigning male or female attributes to garments seems kinda silly.

[@victorialove9104]

cautionTosser This is an historical reference. Assigning attributes was the norm then. now, anything goes. cue the music

[@raien6092]

Babies dressed with dress that time because it's easier to change their diapers

[@sylviaross5486]

At one time, burning witches at the stake wasn't considered unusual, either. Just because something is commonplace doesn't make it right.

[@Itried20takennames]

I sew, and I can testify that making a tiny shirt and pants is much more time consuming and difficult than making a little dress. Given how hard kids are on clothes and how quickly they grow, before mass produced clothes were the norm I cab see the reason to just make dresses.

[@DominicGrindrod]

“We are who we are, having secretly decided who we’d like to be.” -Oscar Wilde

[@melissamckeague]

"We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

[@IH8YT]

I admire him for living so flamboyant and colorful for his time!! Never ashamed of who he was.

[@quantummusic2420]

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde

[@2011littlejohn1]

He may have declared it himself but he was a genius. The Importance of Being Ernest is a masterpiece - its continued production should indicate this. I feel he was bisexual but that is always categorized as gay for some reason. I believe at one time he was in love with Lily Langtry the famous actress - furthering her career and even camping on her doorstep.

[@2011littlejohn1]

@BROOKE VAN GELDEREN Well he did manage to father a couple of kids too so he must have had a few straight moments. :)

[@rageagainstthemicrowave1313]

@BROOKE VAN GELDEREN true. this is why it's hard to catagorize who was bi and who was gay at the time. also since so many lgbt had to hide that at the time that makes it even harder to tell who was what. added on top of that the fact that historians in the past, maybe even some now often actively tried to gloss over this stuff. Wilde is kind of a rare case where his interest in guys couldn't be glossed over because of his trial being so public. hope that makes sense.

[@picklesthewise]

Oscar Wilde is as skilled a writer as any of us can hope to read. His word choices in stories, poems, even when simply speaking to others, are iconic, creative, and evocative. There hasn't been a single thing he ever did that was unmemorable.

[@A_Dopamine_Molecule]

He reminds me of my grandfather if he had chosen to write instead of being a professor. He and I were both fans of Wilde's work. He was a troubled but fascinating man; eccentricity in all the right ways, peppered by genius and haunted by pride and a specter of vice. I'm gonna stop writing all pretentiously now 》_》

[@lzad3764]

Dopamine Well, it is refreshing to see someone who CAN write pretentiously😉.

[@fenriz218]

Yeah, my granddad was a dirty ol' sod too. Belted the whores around when grandma slept, knew every drinking song in history and didn't leave behind one fucking penny... I miss him dearly.

[@philipblakely6094]

Fun fact I’m currently at the same school as Wilde was and if you look at the boards on display for academic achievement you’ll notice that Wilde’s name looks a lot newer that’s because it was originally scrapped because he was gay.

[@jamescarter3196]

It's only pretense if you're pretending! Genuine insight can be 'pompous' however, and I wasn't really thinking that but technically it's probably what you meant. 'Pretentious' is one of the most-frequently misused words in the modern era; I had been misusing it for a long time myself until a few years ago. But what you said was pretty fascinating, so I wouldn't call it pompous or pretentious.

[@themadhattress5008]

I'd say to never stop writing in a 'pretentious' manner. It's what Wilde would have wanted - to embrace our eccentricities.

[@Jimdunne_]

I love how so many novelists who wrote Gothic novels come from my home city, Dublin. Extraordinary artists.

[@iankolber4211]

"The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." - Oscar Wilde

[@lillinablue]

"I adore simple pleasures." "They are the last refuge of the complex". (Oscar Wilde)

[@schristy3637]

A man born to soon. If he would have been born 1954 and not 1854. It would seem his life would have been much different. I was born in 66 and a heterosexual. I have never understood homophobia. You love who you love. Fine video.

[@deezynar]

The numerous young men whom he had sexual encounters with, do you call that love? Is it love to marry a person for their money, then have sex with numerous other people while still married? Wilde was not a bad man because he was bisexual, he was just a bad man. He used people and didn't care how his pursuit of personal gratification hurt the ones he got his pleasure from. There is an old fashioned value called 'self denial', it means a person does not take things if doing so would hurt other people.

[@RiaLake]

If he 'had been born' not 'if he would have'! :)

[@joechestano3358]

c christy. I too was born in June of 66 & although I enjoy Oscar wilde's work, I'm applaud by his distasteful actions of his pedophile demeanor.

[@iliftthingsupandputthemdow4364]

SupaL33tKillar Honestly, at the end to hear his wife took him back enough for him to feel comfortable, only to use that feeling to abandon his ailing wife and family is really pathetic. I felt more for his poor wife.

[@blackmore4]

Pedophile? I'm pretty sure Bosie wasn't underage.

[@Corinthian44]

' Anyone who lives within his means , lacks imagination ' , is a favourite quote of mine .

[@roxanneoshaughnessy9804]

"I have the simplest tastes, I am always satisfied with the best." -Oscar Wilde

[@jockellis]

My feeling about Wilde is that he was the greatest writer who ever lived. His stories The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant are guaranteed tear jerkers.

[@corneliusmercer7022]

Can we get one for J.R.R. Tolkien

[@davidball8446]

Cornelius Mercer that’s a great idea would take more than twenty minutes though!

[@milascave2]

corn: Ah, but did he live a wildlife? The life of a staunch Catholic, amateur linguist, and prolific writer of fantasy literature simply might not have the click appeal. I have the feeling that he was one of those writers whose drama was mainly confined to his writings, not his life.

[@cleanwillie1307]

@@milascave2 Tolkien was Catholic. He tried hard but failed to convert his good friend C.S. Lewis to Catholicism.

[@shirleydaughteroftheking5332]

@@cleanwillie1307... and equally so did Lewis try to convert him. They agreed to disagree in respectful debate.

[@nobbynoris]

@@milascave2 Erm. He was Catholic. And a professional linguist. But I do agree with your central point. His outward, professional life, was, I believe, pretty humdrum. There again, he saw active service in World War One, which partially inspired the Lord Of The Rings. And his mother was cut off by her family for marrying a Catholic man, which provoked Tolkien's relationship with that faith. So maybe not as boring as all that.

[@bettywilder3739]

Fascinating! I’d heard of Oscar Wilde but knew nothing about him. What a brilliant man but tortured soul. How cruel we are to anyone we deem “different “. Rest peacefully, Mr. Wilde!

[@Pootisman213]

He cheated on his wife with 16 year old boys dawg 😭

[@amirahkukan782]

@@Pootisman213so what? It doesn’t take anything away from his genius… dawg

[@lillinablue]

Oscar Wilde was a thinker. He's among classical European best writers ever existed. All his books are Masterpieces. 👍📖👏

[@julesstone7990]

Wilde was not the norm. That's what made him so fascinating. Thank you. Really enjoyed this!

[@evaweiand310]

Thank you so much for doing Oscar Wilde. I've been fascinated by him ever since reading Neil McKenna's awesome biography.

[@vonsuthoff]

Great work Simon, Steve and Crew! Thank you!

[@DisslinWheezel]

Hi Simon, I've been really enjoying watching a lot of your material on your various channels, thank you and please do keep up the fantastic work

[@juliedurden5237]

Very well done! I’ve watched both biographical movies on Wilde’s life, The Trials of Oscar Wilde from 1960 starring Peter Finch, and the more recent (and more graphic) Wilde in 1997, where he was portrayed by Stephen Fry. Although both movies summed up his life pretty well, neither one showed any of the part after his imprisonment, the final years, which you covered in great detail. Thank you very much!

[@brianrodney5202]

The movie with Peter Finch came out alongside a another movie in which Wilde was played by Robert Morley.

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

The sad thing is that Wilde did not live very long after he got out of prison. He moved to France and lived out the rest of his life there dying at 46

[@danielthoman7324]

@@gloriamontgomery6900 that part of his life was portrayed in the movie The Happy Prince.

[@janetphillips2875]

The Happy Prince is a wonderful movie, imo, about Oscar's years after prison, and his death. He is portrayed by Rupert Everett. I think Rupert did a fantastic job of acting (and producing) along with Colin Morgan, Colin Firth, and the actor that played Robbie was excellent

[@jjab99]

Whenever I think of Oscar Wilde, it reminds me of Stephen Fry and I am sure that they would have been great friends and perhaps intellectual equals? It's a shame the way he was treated, but times have changed for the better.

[@AlDuke14]

Joe's Model Kits - Wow, it isn't just me. I've always thought that as well.

[@crayottawa4700]

It made me wonder if they were somehow related. Good call

[@razzmatazz1974]

Fry played Wilde in the 1997 movie

[@ambebhavani]

Reincarnation perhaps?

[@gerpool7]

what about the way his wife was treated

[@lisaahmari7199]

Really loving the slower tempo of your speech. Much, much easier to follow (and appreciate) your well written bios!!

[@Pataganja]

This mf’s plays were “a woman of no importance” then “an ideal husband” and nobody questioned it lmfaoooo

[@pen64]

Pataganja What’s the point here?

[@Pataganja]

pen64 he turned out to be gay and leave his wife... did u watch the video?

[@DOOMZEDAY]

They are obviously satire dude

[@paulkinsella6536]

Like saint Frances of Asisi I'm wedded to poverty, but in my case the marriage is not a success!

[@ashknoecklein]

I really enjoyed this. I don't miss the sound effects, either! :)

[@erinfarber5328]

Enjoyable and informative, as always!However, my sister, who knows a bit about Wilde, remarked that often the photos referenced were not in the chronological order of events. Also, it would have been nice to highlight that Wilde had two friends that stayed with him to the end. In addition, Wilde and his wife were truly in love with each other, and there is no evidence that he had any gay relationships until well into his marriage. Even Bosie described the devoted love that Wilde and Constance had for each other. Furthermore, there are numerous discussions regarding the ear infection...one saying that it started from a fall in prison, another that it was a chronic condition since childhood, and another that it was syphillis related. Additionally, Bosie was a complete asshole. He was really a piece of work. He hated his father and pushed him to sue the father. Speaking of the father, and the Queensbury family, mental illness ran in said family, and his father was a schmuck who couldn't even spell "sodomite" correctly. :) Otherwise, it was great. Seriously. We love Top Tenz as well. Thank you!

[@alanmaguire3977]

I can resist anything in life except temptation Oscar wild Brilliant

[@melodymontana5370]

oh boy i enjoyed this biography immensely ...great delivery, Simon. ..love all your work

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

" ... self proclaimed genius ... " Yeah Well Like Mohamed Ali He Backed It Up !

[@aliyan7378]

@Jeffrey Mill while suffering from Parkinson's he somehow stood for 11 rounds against larry Holmes and he defeated 2 people who could not be beaten, what more do you need?

[@ditarivera8087]

Stephen Fry was magnificent in Oscar Wilde role .

[@ingedetroia7189]

Yes! Only it seemed to me that he played him a little bit too "victim-like". I think the real Oscar Wilde was very cool and strong and much more brilliant, at least before he got to prison.

[@75smurfette]

One of the best Biographics videos yet, man,what a life that man lived!

[@ashleyrayner7949]

Is it me or does Oscar Wilde look remarkably like Stephen Fry...its spooky...

[@mangot589]

Ashley Rayner I’m pretty sure that’s why he played him in the movie. He’s perfect.

[@fabiwilliams4644]

Reincarnation

[@mac10watp31]

@Angela Duffy both bum boy's

[@roxanaconception]

Mango T , 😲 whaaat! Ok I’m watching that now! Thanks!!😁

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

It's you.

[@bedwaaqcawsgurow6401]

Great piece, enjoyed every second of it. Thanks.

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

With regard to the plays, the presenter did not mention the play Lady Windermere's Fan (1892). The Importance of being Earnest is an old fashioned comedy and his most famous play, written to make money. But Lady Windermere's Fan is the one that contains most of the statements that would be remembered in quotes after his death which made him immortal.

[@rochestersmonkey5627]

What are you talking about? Utter nonsense! The Importance of being Earnest is his masterpiece, one of the handful of great comedies in the history of the English stage. Lady Windermere's Fan is an inferior play - with an entirely conventional Victorian plot. Wilde's contemporary and sometime friend Max Beerbohm compared Earnest favourably to Wilde's earlier plays, calling it his 'finest', most undeniably his own'; and pointing out that in the earlier plays the plot was divorced from the theme, whilst in Earnest the story is 'dissolved' into the form of the play. The almost complete absence of social commentary from the play was a genuine novelty on the late Victorian stage. Whilst the contemporary critical reaction to the play was positive, this departure from convention drew negative comment, most notably from George Bernard Shaw. Your assertion that Lady Windermere's Fan contains more notable Wilde quotes is shown to be nonsensical with a cursory glance at the Oxford Book of Quotations. Lady Windermere's Fan has only six entries, Earnest has thirteen. Mark Lawson has state that Earnest is the second most widely known and quoted English dramatic work after Hamlet. From your comment, I can only conclude either that you haven't seen both plays performed, or that you are incapable of judging the quality of a play. Either that, or you're some kind of literary hipster, picking an inferior, lesser known play as your favourite over the superior, more popular play. Earnest is more popular for a good reason: it is far and away a better play.

[@dawncathlene6173]

Just discovered the biographies yesterday, am loving them!

[@louiserichards5751]

I’ve just found your channel I love it it’s great thankyou x

[@crowwoman9218]

I watched the 1923 film Salome for the first time a few days ago and I was astounded by the screenplay, and the Beardsly inspired sets and costume. I understand that the artist and Wilde were very good friends and think of how truly revolutionary and courageous they were

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

There is a 1923 film of Salome? With Beardsley inspired sets and costumes? I will have to find it. Thank you!

[@GuadalupePicasso]

So many key details were left out, hopefully unintentionally. For starters, while younger, Wilde heavily flirted with Catholicism, and was even baptized on his deathbed. In regards to the bad press for The Picture Of Dorian Grey, the religious press at that time actually gave it glowing reviews, seeing it as a moral tale.

[@thomaspollock9274]

he ws of protesant stock and got his revenge on english lords on turning caholic he died with a large ammount money from loyalitys fron hi books where the french loved him but they where not backward like english

[@GuadalupePicasso]

thomas pollock he turned on the English by becoming Catholic? Seriously? He was baptized a Catholic literally on his deathbed, man.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

fenriz218 why don’t you tell us how you reeeeaaaalllly feel, man?

[@melisapalermo711]

I'm glad someone brought that up. If I read correctly, the papal blessing cured him of the food poisoning. He wrote, “the Vicar of Christ made me whole.” Then later said, "My position is curious: I am not a Catholic: I am simply a violent Papist.”

[@soulagent79]

Bosie was a spoilt brat.

[@windstorm1000]

Yes he was. He was also Wolfe's in doing. And his joy. Love is complex. Bosie did love Wilde but as you noted was selfish. To his creditafter he destroyed the man he loved he went to be with him in Paris.

[@pingukutepro]

He was pretty though, like some bitches today

[@sexobscura]

He was definitely through social position AND he seduced Wilde NOT vice versa

[@fabiwilliams4644]

Petulant & dependent

[@roohamm2456]

Just found ya thru your Geo page link!! LOVE Bio's!!! This will keep me busy for awhile!!🖖🖖 (This was a great video!!)

[@annettefournier9655]

Poor Oscar. Wanting what only the aristocracy could get away with.

[@bonzodog67lizardking15]

annette fournier+ The fact an aristocrat can get away with something doesn't make it admirable or praiseworthy. He was a very talented writer, but an utter failure as a human being. He over-did everything, and in the end, by the writings of friends present, repented in the only way he knew how.

[@thomaspollock9274]

correct annette what would u expect from the english who tormented the irish for hundreds of years

[@rochestersmonkey5627]

Poor Oscar, all he wanted to do was molest adolescent boys. Good guy.

[@randomalienfrommars0567]

@@bonzodog67lizardking15 I think she meant this ironically because this is something he mentioned a few times in his work about how each social demographic was obsessive and possessive about their own particular sins?

[@randomalienfrommars0567]

@@rochestersmonkey5627 I agree that this is reprehensible by today's standards and I'm not defending him but you have to acknowledge that 17 at that time was more than adult and pairings with one party being what we now judge as underage was more often the case than not. As for the assault allegations that is very much debatable and unproven. Still doesn't excuse his adultery and abandonment of his children tho...

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:35 - Chapter 1 - Beginnings 2:40 - Chapter 2 - Higher education 5:55 - Chapter 3 - Literary beginnings 8:55 - Chapter 4 - Success & scandal 11:40 - Chapter 5 - Trials 16:00 - Chapter 6 - Confinement

[@jedidrummerjake]

Yes! More stuff like this! Subscribed! Love you other channel too!

[@fuzzyparker7045]

The wallpaper is winning,and it won.He was fantastic!I love all of his writing.

[@LAPC13]

"In 1875 he won the prestigious Berkeley Gold Medal in Greek. Three years later in 1874 (?)..." Great work nonetheless Simon. As always.

[@krishnadhar3282]

Simon,,, ur work is praiseworthy indeed,,, m frm India,,,, u speak so fast,,, some texts I miss unfortunately. Plz go a lil bit slowly,,,

[@lisacotton322]

He was definitely born too early what a beautiful man

[@steveswitzer4353]

Excellent stuff nicely paced and perfectly delivered

[@j.7813]

Fabulous! Clever script and compelling narration. Well done. Ty

[@DeetsterB]

Thank you again, Mr Whistler , for another great article! And such a great subject!

[@AnnaP-qk4qm]

Thanks for sharing. This bio (and outstanding research) has shed a lot of light on Mr. Wilde, and what had molded this tragic, brilliant man.

[@theCrunt]

New to the channel, love the videos, love the accent, and love the beard. Great stuff

[@joannecarolyn1595]

This was an incredibly enlightening video! Thank you so much! :)

[@DarqueQueen7]

Have you done one on Alan Turing?

[@Biographics]

Not yet. He didn't make the cut for our first 100, but maybe later...

[@robertmitchel2194]

Seriously, the movie was fantastic, and such a shame that homosexuals have been persecuted throughout history

[@Foxglove963]

GazB85. The great hero Alan Turing! He was one of the 300.000 who was uselessly persecuted under corrupt morals and laws, he was given no choice, which resulted in his death. The queen "pardoned" him, albeit he had committed no crime whatsoever. This brilliant man who served his country and Europe with dedication should have been made a baron with a life size bronze statue in front of the Houses of Parliament.

[@t.thomas6967]

Good one. Turing also preferred male butt cheeks

[@BJN1253]

@@t.thomas6967 So? I guarantee one of his butt cheeks had more intelligence than you'll ever possess in your lifetime.

[@lancethrustworthy]

THANK YOU, for the (mainly) fair and honest recounting of this brilliant man's life.

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

Brilliant work Simon and crew

[@ereynoldful3974]

Just now discovered your channel and loving it. It would be awesome if you profiled the poet Arthur Rimbaud!

[@richcampus]

"...the pessimist is the one who when given the choice of two evils chooses both..." Oscar Wilde

[@MonkeyKing000]

Keep up the great work. Awesome channel.

[@DOA-ft6iw]

Thanks to you for putting together such great individuals to light. So much is to be learned from the "lust" of knowledge or controversy you awake every time. Very good work !

[@PaganPunk]

Every Saint has a past, Ever Sinner has a Future.

[@redcloverleaf605]

Thank you for creating this channel!

[@Biographics]

We did it for you.

[@rosicroix777]

There is actually a wax recording of Oscar Wilde reciting some of the poetry that was in his last book Reading Gaol here on You Tube, just type it into the search box . It's interesting to actually get to hear the mans actual voice . Good video , though I was hoping to hear a bit about Wilde's dabbleing in the esoteric in the bio .

[@lzad3764]

Percy Barbarossa whaaat? Oh I’m so going there right this second, thanks!

[@larrytedder3660]

This is NOT a recording of the voice of Oscar Wilde. That myth was debunked about 15 years ago, although the rumor still persists.

[@MissCane9]

Fantastic as always!

[@shesaknitter]

Thank you so much for another excellent video. My favorite quotations are all from Oscar Wilde. What heartbreaking tragedy he had to endure.

[@hazevthewolf178]

Great video. There's a story about Wilde's last days. I've no idea as to whether it's true or just some accretion, the sort of legend which tends to surround a famous person, but here it is: As he lay dying in his Paris hotel room, he said to someone, "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One of us has got to go!" Anyone care to enlighten me?

[@pelotasdad]

Bart Atwood-Ebi it was a week before he died, in a parisian cafe with friends.... not his final words, but still fitting of his life and death..... a wit and brilliance beyond most, but he lost a battle with wall paper.....

[@tigerlily7246]

I can't lighten you but Ive often wondered about this to.

[@tigerlily7246]

pelotasdad. Thanks. What a character he was. I wish I could have met him.

[@bellsca1917]

Bart Atwood-Ebi, I have read his biography by H. Montgomery Hyde. It took him 20 year's to write due to the research he did for the book, and yes that is true what he said. He ended up in a very poor mans hotel, his friends came to be with him and reported that those were his words at some point. There is even a picture of him in the room with the wall paper after he died.

[@jonsnor4313]

He gets out of his poor apartment or he will drink himself to death i guess.

[@anunexaminedlife1207]

"His one true love" Leaves by the end of the year... I'm curious to what your definition of "love" is

[@thomass8269]

T-shirt idea? BRILLIANT! Keep up the inspiring and positive work!

[@heatherk841]

AMAZING as always

[@stephenfarrelly1602]

So interesting. Great video

[@ryanhayward2161]

Great video!!

[@fatimahmedows9846]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed your presentation.