Oscar Wilde was an Irish author and playwright who moved to London in 1878. Born in 1854, he became one of the most celebrated names in Victorian England, and is best remembered for his plays, poems, and novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. As an undergraduate at Trinity College, Dublin, Wilde wrote plays and essays. He gained recognition for his witty conversational style, gaining the attention of the British press in 1877 for a series of lectures he delivered across the United States.
In 1878, Wilde moved to London and began writing plays, poems, and essays. His first plays, Vera; or, The Nihilists and The Duchess of Padua, were produced in 1881 and 1882 respectively, each to mixed reviews. At the same time, Wilde published poems in The Chameleon, a periodical edited by John Nimmo, and contributed to the journal Nineteenth Century, both magazines that allowed him to gain recognition in the literary world.
Wilde’s association with the artistic and literary circles of London grew, allowing him to mingle with the great minds of the day. His fame grew and he became a leader of the Aesthetic Movement due to his flamboyant lifestyle, works and wit. His greatest success as a playwright came in 1892 when he wrote Lady Windermere’s Fan. It was quickly followed by A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband, both of which proved to be popular successes.
Wilde’s notoriety and fame eventually led to his downfall, as his famous witticisms and role as a leader of the Aesthetic Movement had become so popular they were primary targets of the conservative press. His public clashes with the media led to his criminal conviction in 1895 on charges of “gross indecency” and he was sentenced to two years in prison. Upon release, he fled to Paris where he died in 1900.
Wilde’s life was marked by a series of successes and setbacks, but it was his move to London in 1878 that is argued to have been his most formative experience. His time in London cemented his name as a major figure in literature, as well as providing a poignant backdrop to his eventual downfall.
Wilde’s Impact in London
When Wilde moved to London he was already a budding author, but it would be his time in London that would bring him the most fame and notoriety. Wilde immediately made an impact on the literary landscape of London through his frequent appearances at literary events. His wit and charm made him an instant celebrity of sorts, as he quickly gained an unquestionable level of respect and admiration from both peers and public figures alike.
Wilde’s celebrity was further cemented through his association with several prominent figures in London’s artistic and literary circles. These included the Pre-Raphaelite painters Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais, and William Holman Hunt, as well as the critic Walter Pater and the writer Edward Burne-Jones. This association provided Wilde with more than just an opportunity to socialize with the great minds of the day; it also gave him the chance to expand his knowledge of fine art and to comprehend finer nuances of literature, philosophy, and social etiquette.
Wilde’s influence in London can be seen in the works he produced there, which often contained heavy references to the way in which the modern age had become obsessed with the fleshly and material. In addition, Wilde’s wit and sharp observations left a lasting mark on London. His public antics and biting criticisms of the establishment would forever shape how Londoners perceived their own culture.
The lasting legacy of Wilde’s move to London will be forever entwined with his fame, his wit, his works, and the impact he had on the art and literary scenes of the city. Wilde remains a prominent figure in English literature and his works are to this day studied and enjoyed by the public.
Wilde’s Beliefs and Networks
Whilst in London Wilde developed strong intellectual networks where he could safely express his opinions and beliefs. One of the great ironies of Wilde’s life was that it was in London, a city filled with class divides, that he managed to form a community of like-minded intellectuals from both the higher and lower social classes. Through this, he was able to form a collective understanding of life and art, which would influence his works for the rest of his life.
Wilde had already begun to develop his beliefs prior to moving to London, but it was his London networks that allowed him to solidify them. His views were heavily informed by his conversations with the members of The Rhymers Club, a circle of poets and writers of which he was a member. Through this group, Wilde was able to fully express his ideas, such as his belief that art should be used as a means of critiquing society, in a safe and supportive environment.
Wilde’s friendship circle also opened his eyes to the injustices of British society. Through his conversations with the working classes of London, Wilde began to understand the realities of poverty and inequality and developed a greater understanding and sympathy towards their plight.
Whilst Wilde’s time in London was certainly turbulent and filled with drama, it was also a period of great intellectual growth. His networks in London gave him the opportunity to explore new thoughts and ideas and to form a more nuanced understanding of art, literature and social justice.
London’s Influence on Wilde’s Writing
The time Wilde spent in London undoubtedly had a huge impact on his writing. His writings were informed by a variety of sources, but the city of London undoubtedly had the greatest influence. Wilde examined the hypocrisies of the Victorian era and crafted work that challenged conventional morality. His plays, most notably Lady Windermere’s Fan, were heavily informed by his encounters with the city’s upper classes.
Wilde’s essays and poems showcased his skill as a satirist, with his works often featuring parables and allegories that told cautionary tales. His poem The Harlot’s House is perhaps one of the best examples of this approach, as it tells the story of a prostitute living in London, conveying the message that even in a metropolis, morality still exists.
Wilde’s writings also often featured the process of transformation which many of the young people he encountered in London underwent. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde’s protagonist undergoes a descent into depravity, with the city of London providing the backdrop to the tale. Wilde’s use of the city as the setting to many of his works amount to the biggest impact it had on his writing, serving as a visual symbol to be explored, commented upon, and transgressed.
Wilde’s London Legacy
Oscar Wilde’s move to London in 1878 was an integral part of his professional and personal development. Whilst in the city he formed numerous networks and met with some of the most influential minds of his day. This, combined with the influence the city had on his work, enabled Wilde to develop an understanding of life and art the likes of which had yet to be seen in the Victorian era.
Wilde’s legacy in London is one of witticisms, philosophy, and witty observations. His works remain as prominent today as they were during the 19th century, accompanied by story and legends that colour London’s history. Whilst his stay in the city was anything but what could be deemed as conventional, his move to London was an essential part of his development and his ultimate rise to fame and infamy.
Wilde’s Political Ideas
The ideas and beliefs Wilde developed in London shaped his later works and ultimately shaped his perception of society and politics. He was a vocal advocate for social reform and stood firmly against society’s laws and rules. Such views can be seen in works such as The Soul of Man Under Socialism, in which he discussed topics such as the freedom of thought, the role of government and the importance of individual liberty and autonomy. His views on class, wealth and the British Empire can be seen in his plays and essays, with his works often promoting the notion of communal unity and understanding.
Wilde was also a firm believer in the power of art and its ability to influence societal change. His works often featured characters who challenge conventions and eschew the status quo. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, the protagonist symbolizes Wilde’s own belief that one can break free from the restraints of society and be free to live an unconstrained life.
Whilst in London, Wilde’s views on politics and social reform began to form and develop. His time in the city enabled him to meet a variety of people from different walks of life, allowing him to form an understanding of social injustice and the need for change. This understanding of the world informed his works, allowing him to write works that explore moral conflicts and challenge the establishment.
Wilde’s Move to the City
When Oscar Wilde moved to London in 1878, he was already an established writer and had already begun to develop his own unique style and views. His move to the city of London enabled him to further his growth, as he became associated with a variety of influential figures and formed networks with members of both higher and lower classes. This had a profound impact on his works, which were heavily influenced by the city and its inhabitants.
Wilde’s move to London had a lasting impact on British culture. His works have shaped our understanding of the Victorian era and are still studied to this day. His move to the city allowed him to form his own unique views and beliefs about life, art, and politics which continue to influence writers and thinkers today. As a result, Wilde’s move to London is an event that we look back on with admiration and reverence.
