WELL OVER A CENTURY AFTER THE DEATH OF OSCAR WILDE, HE IS HAILED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST WRITERS OF COMEDY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, A BRAVE REBEL AGAINST CONFORMITY AND A GAY ICON. In many ways, Wilde was a man born before his time, championing modern attitudes to personal behaviour and freedom long before these became the norm. Though he died young, partly as a result of his cruel imprisonment, he lived life to the full, but contact with his wife and beloved children was sacrificed along the way. This book succinctly captures many aspects of Wilde's complex and sometimes contradictory personality, and sets the drama of his destructive relationship with Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas in the context of the oppressive climate of Late Victorian England. Richly illustrated with pertinent quotations as well as photographs and drawings, it is a perfect introduction to Wilde and his world.