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Oscar Wilde

The ever-quotable Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet who delighted Victorian England with his legendary wit. He found critical and popular success with his scintillating plays, chiefly The Importance of Being Earnest, while his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, scandalized readers. Imprisoned for two years for homosexual behavior, Wilde moved to France after his release, where he died destitute.

Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde wrote a variety of famous books including The Picture of Dorian Gray and his most well-known play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The Importance of Being Earnest has been republished many times since its premiere in 1895. It was also made into a movie 3 times. The Importance of Being Earnest is often used in English and Literature classes; you can find our study guide on sparknotes! The Picture of Dorian Gray was written in 1980 and was one of the first novels to bring about issues of morality as it relates to youth and beauty. You can read SparkNotes' study guide on The Picture of Dorian Gray here. Other popular Oscar Wilde books, short stories and plays include The Happy Prince and Other Tales, De Profundis, and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. There are several popular Oscar Wilde quotes about life, love, and friendship. One popular Oscar Wilde quote is, "No good deed goes unpunished."