The Canterville Ghost

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright known for his sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and brilliant works of literature. His most famous works include:

• The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) – A novel about a man who remains eternally young while his portrait ages, exploring themes of vanity, morality, and decadence.
• The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) – A comedy of manners that satirizes Victorian society with clever dialogue and farcical situations.
• Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1895) – His plays often focused on social hypocrisy and moral dilemmas.
• De Profundis (written in 1897, published in 1905) – A deeply personal letter written during his imprisonment, reflecting on his life, love, and suffering.
• The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898) – A poem inspired by his time in prison, critiquing the harshness of the penal system.

Wilde was a key figure in the Aesthetic Movement, advocating “art for art’s sake.” However, his career and life took a tragic turn when he was imprisoned in 1895 for “gross indecency” due to his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas. After his release, he lived in exile in France, where he died in 1900 at the age of 46.