Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, playwright, and author. His works have been extensively studied and several works continue to be enjoyed even today. While it is clear that Wilde was a larger-than-life figure during the late 19th century, the question remains: how tall was the man?
Many sources cite Oscar Wilde’s height as 6 feet tall, which is approximately 183 centimeters. Wilde was indeed tall for his era, since the average height of men in the United Kingdom during his time was approximately 5’7” (170 cm). Furthermore, his contemporaries tended to comment on his tall stature.
While his exact height remains disputed, much of the source material points to Wilde being 6 feet or very near to it. Robert Sherard, Wilde’s biographer, noted that the poet was ‘very tall’, and even the Savoy magazine called Wilde ‘the tall sage of Westwood’.
In addition to Wilde standing well above his peers, there were physical features that were distinct. For instance, his well-proportioned frame was noted for its balance and visual appeal. Wilde was considered to carry a great presence due to his stature, comportment, and charisma.
Additionally, Wilde’s legs were also noted for their length. According to Sherard, Wilde’s trousers were designed to reach his ankles and his boots were made to fit his long legs. Other reports of Wilde’s legs abound such as an incident where the poet’s boots were repeatedly stolen during a sojourn to the United States.
Ultimately, the question of how tall Oscar Wilde was cannot be definitively answered. The various sources surmise that the poet could have stood at around 6 feet tall, or 183 centimeters. Moreover, Wilde was noted for his stature and distinct physical features that made an impression with his contemporaries.
The Influence of Wilde’s Tall Form
Wilde’s tall physical appearance was such that it undoubtedly had a strong influence on the reception, adoration, and perception of the poet. In particular, Wilde was the subject of admiration for his elegant frame, ideal carriage, and commanding presence.
His tall stature gave Wilde an advantage of both being able to oversee a larger field of view, as well as command a greater attention from his peers. Since Wilde had a connection to many of Europe’s leading personalities, his tall figure could have had a marked role in his ability to be respected, admired, and accepted into a variety of social circles.
Furthermore, many authors have suggested that his physical form and presence could have been used to seduce his various admirers. Wilde was believed to capture the attention of others, enabling him to gain the trust of both men and women. As such, his physical beauty, which certainly benefitted from his tall stature, could have helped him gain access to various influential people throughout his lifetime.
In essence, Wilde’s tall stature helped him to not only stand out in any crowd, but also enabled him to engage with people with greater command. Through his tall physical form, Wilde was able to garner attention from those around him and use his presence to his advantage.
Tall Physical Aesthetics and the Arts
The elegant frame of Oscar Wilde was often admired for its proportion and aesthetics. His height was combined with slightness of his figure, often in a manner that was viewed as attractive among his admirers.
The attention paid to Wilde’s height was at times incompatible with the popularized idea of manhood at the time. Since Wilde was at the forefront of the Aesthetic movement, many believed that his figure should be present and admired in all of his artistic works.
In his famous works such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde employed the idea of beauty moving away from the rigid male physique to a more androgynous form. In his famous poem, “The Ballad of Reading Gaol”, Wilde further explored the idea of beauty being measured beyond physical strength or traditional connotations.
Thus, Wilde’s tall physical form was unique and did not fit in with the traditionally accepted idea of a fit male physique. This ultimately signified the creative change of the poets physical constructs and instead pushed the boundaries of the traditional idea of beauty and masculinity.
This notion was further solidified in Wilde’s plays. As such, two characters in An Ideal Husband wear long and softened dresses, signifying Wilde’s desire to move away from the traditional stature of men.
Critical Reception and How Being Tall Squared with His Troubled Life
While Wilde’s physical presence left an impression, his tall frame also often became the source of negative comments and public banter. For instance, some of his novelist friends poked fun at his size, such as Charles Kingsley who mentioned how Wilde was so thin that “one could not help wondering how he found clothing to fit him.”
Yet his height was also seen as royal and grand. His stature often earned him the term “Princesse Lointaine”. This was a codenamed phrase that signified Wilde’s noble-like demeanor and his nature as a romantic symbol. It also alludes to his mystical personality and presence.
Additionally, there were other comments throughout his life that showed his stature frequently being commented on in admiration. Robert Ross- Wilde’s close friend- described him as a “graceful creature” and a “colossus”. Letters abound with comments ranging from “a tall figure, with a ducal breadth of should and chest”, to “a man who, however diminutive, was the best looking and grandest figure that ever walked the streets of London.”
Clearly, Wilde’s tall stature was one of the striking features of the poet’s existence, both in terms of his appearance, his experiences, and the public reception of his persona. His height brought about a sense of regalness and masculinity, both of which were often remarked on not only by his peers, but by his admirers as well.
Biographical Record of Oscar Wilde’s Height
While Wilde’s height is widely accepted to have been 6 feet, an analysis of the historical record would suggest a different figure. Reports from his academic yearbook state that Wilde was 5′ 8”, while some of his close relatives and friends cite a different figure.
For instance, his sister Mary wrote that Wilde was “taller than the tallest men [she] had seen” and his close friend Reggie Turner estimated his height as 5′ 9”. Robert Ross, Wilde’s publisher, even noted the poet’s stature as 5′ 8”.
It is likely that Wilde was indeed closer to 5′ 9”. This figure would coincide both with the average height of men during his time, as well as with comments made by some of his closest confidants. Furthermore, it was believed that Wilde wore a particularly large hat, which could have exaggerated his height.
Still, even if Wilde was conventionally taller than his peers, his tallness was still the source of fascination and admiration. The evidence clearly points to the poet being taller than the average Victorian gentleman, which could have both enabled him to gain a degree of respect and helped him stand out in a crowd.
The Link between Height and Health
It is also important to consider the influence that height has over various measures of health. Early studies showed a link between height and an increased risk of certain diseases and conditions. For instance, tall individuals have a higher chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Additionally, there is a higher likelihood of psychological stress and lower academic performance in taller people. Conversely, short people may have a higher risk of stroke and osteoarthritis. The exact reasons for these associations are not completely understood, although it may have something to do with differences in nutrition and lifestyle.
As such, it is important to consider how Wilde’s stature, which was considered to be tall for his era, could have had an influence on his life. It is possible that his tall frame could have put him at greater risk for certain diseases, but this remains difficult to prove.
His tall frame may also have enabled Wilde to enjoy certain advantages. Taller people often tend to have greater hand-eye coordination and improved physical performance, which could have helped Wilde in his later pursuits in sport. Moreover, people with a taller stature often tend to have a greater degree of confidence, which may have helped Wilde to move through the various social circles.
Psychological Impact of Tallness
Beyond the physiological implications, Wilde’s tall stature could have had a powerful psychological impact. Taller people are usually viewed as more physically attractive, and this could naturally have enabled Wilde to captivate people’s attention.
Moreover, people with a greater height often command more respect and hold more authority among colleagues. This could have been a great asset during Wilde’s time, when the poet sought to be surrounded by the European elite.
Additionally, the increased stature could have actively impacted Wilde’s mood on a daily basis. Many studies have indicated that people who are taller are more likely to be cheerful and optimistic. They may also have greater access to beneficial activities, such as exercise and sports.
Thus, being tall could have had a positive effect on Wilde’s psychological wellbeing. His height may have enabled him to achieve greater achievements in both his personal and professional life, as well as enjoy a more fulfilling lifestyle.
