Oscar Wilde was an apt recipient of numerous awards throughout his life. He received the prestigious Newdigate Prize at Oxford University whilst studying there. This highly sought-after award is granted by the university’s chancellor to the best student essay writers in the English language, and Wilde’s win was something he was exceedingly proud of. In addition to this, Wilde also managed to acquire a foundation scholarship to study at Oxford.
In the literary world, Wilde earned a National Prize in 1882 for a poem he wrote which was commended by critics. He later became the only known playwright to have won the Critic’s Circle award twice, the first win being for ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ and the second for ‘The Importance of being Earnest’. Wilde would certainly have been pleased to have received these awards as recognition for his efforts in producing plays which were so renowned.
Apart from accolades within his field, an honorary DLitt degree had been widely discussed and recommended by influential figures of the time. Wilde never accepted or rejected the offer of this doctorate and even to this day it remains unclear as to why he chose not to do so. As a result, it cannot be added as a confirmed award that Wilde held. Nonetheless, it was deemed impressive and worthy of recognition for works that were based on his plays and writings.
In 1894, Wilde was licensed to take holy orders from The Church of Ireland and became a deacon in Salisbury. Having firm roots in Irish Catholicism, this appointment was a proud moment for Wilde and he certainly embraced the opportunity of receiving recognition from the Church. He was ultimately commended for his services in Salisbury, an area which he had grown to love and show dedication for.
Wilde’s popularity and admiration continued to soar, and in 1895 he was awarded the Bodley Medal – an accolade associated with writers and scholars who promote intellectual culture and work in libraries. It was a reward feature of the Bodelian Library at the University of Oxford, in which Wilde was no doubt pleased to have been recognised.
Finally, due to his popularity and talent, Wilde was employed at Harvard to give a set of lectures on aesthetic cultural topics. Wilde himself deemed this to have been an incredible achievement and was highly regarded by Harvard University. These series of lectures marked an important milestone in Wilde’s life and signified his growing esteem as a respected and successful artist.
Newdigate Prize At Oxford University
Amidst the literary works of Oscar Wilde, a great achievement of his was to receive the coveted Newdigate Prize, awarded by the university’s chancellor for the best student essay write-up in the English language. This is a highly respected award and Wilde was certainly proud to have clinched it at his time in Oxford. Not only that, but Wilde was given a foundation scholarship at Oxford, enabling him to further his studies.
As an English Literature student and now a Newdigate Prize recipient, Wilde had proved his true intellect to Oxford and the academic world. He presented himself as an exemplary student and was well-known amongst them for always having an answer when it came to his educational queries. For his endeavours in his studies, Wilde was commended during his time at Oxford.
To be granted the Newdigate Prize was a huge honour and Wilde would no doubt have been pleased to have had it reflected upon his portfolio. Through this recognition, Wilde gained great respect within the literary and academic fields, leading him to further success in life.
It was thus a prestigious accolade for Oscar Wilde to have received and certainly set him apart from his peers. Wilde’s win of this esteemed award was truly remarkable and he would have felt a great sense of accomplishment for having clinched it.
Overall, the Newdigate Prize stands as an important recognition for Wilde and highlights his brilliance as an Oxford student.
Critic’s Circle Award
In the literary world, the Critic’s Circle award was won twice by Oscar Wilde, making him the only playwright to have done so. His works, such as ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ and ‘The Importance of being Earnest’, were highly praised and ultimately resulted in Wilde’s first and second Comic’s Circle award.
This was a grand achievement for Wilde and allowed him to elevate himself within the artistic realm. For both plays to have been so well-received was homage to his skill and talent for crafting plays which were truly remarkable. This was something Wilde was proud of, as was evident by his delight in the rave reviews he constantly received.
The Critic’s Circle award cemented Wilde’s reputation as a playwright and was significant in his journey to stardom. Through this accolade, Wilde was lauded for his plays and respected by his peers, something he had aspired for as a playwright for quite some time.
Wilde also received praise from literary figures for the quality of his plays. Such reviews brought Wilde access to favourable networks and allowed him to build a solid foundation of support based within the theatre industry. This ultimately added to his long list of successes and was a meaningful reward to have added to Wilde’s achievements.
In conclusion, the Critic’s Circle award enhanced Wilde’s reputation and provided him with the recognition from fellow playwrights and theatre-goers alike. This was a momentous award for Wilde and further boosted his theatrical standing.
Honorary DLitt Degree
It had long been debated whether or not Oscar Wilde would accept an honorary DLitt degree, an accolade often associated with his works. Whether Wilde accepted or rejected the offer remains unknown and is still a mystery to this day. Nonetheless, this potential award had been commended highly by influential figures of the time and was considered impressive.
Wilde used his plays, essays and other writings to take a humorous and liberal approach to the drama field and this was something he understandably treasured. This creativity and artistry was recognised by many and Wilde was recognised in particular for his work in such form of literature.
It was a major example of Wilde’s success how he had incited great conversation with his productions. His talent was known far and wide and Wilde was deservedly going from strength to strength. This kind of recognition unparalleled to any other and stood as a form of appreciation for the works of literature he had created.
By this point, Wilde had become renowned for his works and was valued and praised by all. He had made a name for himself, owing to his vast amount of accomplishments and was truly becoming an iconic figure. By never accepting nor rejecting the honorary DLitt degree, Wilde had highlighted the significance of his works and important impact it had made on the community.
In light of this, the honorary DLitt degree serves as a reflection of Wilde’s efforts in producing works which had become renowned and much-loved across the world. Even at present, Wilde remains highly respected and admired, making the potentiality of this particular award a testimony to the virtue of his capabilities.
Bodley Medal
Another award Wilde managed to acquire was the Bodley Medal – an accolade associated with writers and scholars who promote intellectual culture and work in libraries. It was a form of recognition established by the Bodelian Library of the University of Oxford, and Wilde’s success in receiving it was something he evidently felt great pride in.
The Bodley Medal was a fitting reward for Wilde given his successes in the literary field. His admirers included powerful figures and well-known figures, revered for his artistry and talent. It was Wilde’s unwavering dedication to literature which led him to the Bodley Medal, a sign of his devotion to the craft.
In addition, Wilde had been a diligent student in his studies at Oxford, resulting in his well-deserved Newdigate Prize. This success was further attached to his win of the Bodley Medal, commending his educationally-related pursuits and accomplishments.
His genuine love for the Oxford area was certainly admired and made him even more deserved of this particular award. Wilde had crafted a life for himself there, investing time and effort to build a life with his family and make Oxford his home. He felt a deep connection to Oxford, something which those around him knew – and thus, his win of the Bodley Medal was highly validating.
In the end, the Bodley Medal served as an important symbol of Wilde’s acumen as a writer and scholar. It was an accolade highly appreciated by Wilde, standing for his great loyalty to the craft and the academic world.
Harvard Lectures
Wilde’s fame had brought him to prestigious places such as Harvard, in which he had been employed to deliver lectures on aesthetic cultural topics. Harvard University was a large admirer of Wilde and his successful reputation thus enabled him to have this platform and speak his thoughts in such a high-reaching arena.
Wilde’s skill as an orator was yet another attribute of his which was commended. His wit, words and depth in knowledge had granted him such a great opportunity, something he greatly valued. These lectures proved to be immensely popular, with people flocking huge distances to gain access to such a highly sought-after event.
Having been able to deliver these lectures at Harvard was a remarkable achievement for Wilde. To be reciprocated with so much acclaim was truly a testament to his capabilities and the impact his work was receiving.
This was a new experience for Wilde and it served as a reminder of his worldly fame. He had become renowned after his success in the theatre world and was now realising the true extent and reach of his notoriety. He was paving a successful path and it was evident by this feat and the amount of respect he gave.
As such, Wilde’s position as a lecturer of Harvard was something he felt privilege to have been offered. To be able to share his knowledge in such an esteemed place held great weight for Wilde and stands as a memorable moment for him.
