Historedia
Person

Oscar Wilde

Events
5
Episodes
9
Years
1882–1897

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Oscar Wilde, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Oscar Wilde arrives in New York to begin his North American lecture tour

    1882

    Role: Lecturer

    1. January 1882 · Publication of Harper's Weekly, January 1882 issuePress Caricature in January 1882

      Harper's Weekly featured a caricature of Wilde as a monkey in its January 1882 issue, reflecting hostile press reception.

    2. 2-3 January 1882 · New York CityArrival on the SS Arizona

      Wilde arrived in New York City on 2 January 1882 aboard the SS Arizona, disembarking the next day to begin his North American lecture tour.

  2. First publication of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray in Lippincott's

    1890–1891

    Role: Author

    1. printed 20 June 1890; July 1890 issue · Lippincott's Monthly Magazine (publisher context; Philadelphia base not stated in supplied passages)Publication in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine

      The novella-length first version appeared as the lead story in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, first printed on 20 June 1890.

    2. June-July 1890 · BritainCritical Backlash and Withdrawal

      Critics condemned the novel's morality, leading WHSmith to withdraw the July 1890 issue from its bookstalls.

    3. April 1891 · LondonRevision for Book Edition

      Wilde revised the text for the 1891 book edition, expanding chapters and adding a preface.

  3. Oscar Wilde's arrest and conviction for gross indecency in London

    1895

    Role: Defendant

    1. 6 April 1895 · LondonArrest for Gross Indecency

      Wilde was arrested in London on 6 April 1895 for gross indecency under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885.

    2. 25 May 1895 · Old Bailey, LondonConviction at Old Bailey

      Wilde and Alfred Taylor were convicted of gross indecency at the Old Bailey on 25 May 1895 and sentenced to two years' hard labour.

  4. Premiere of Oscar Wilde's Salomé in Paris

    1896

    Role: Author

    1. 11 February 1896 · Théâtre de la Comédie-ParisienneFirst Performance

      Salomé was performed in French as part of a double bill with Raphaël at the Théâtre de la Comédie-Parisienne.

  5. Oscar Wilde released from Reading Gaol

    1897

    Role: Prisoner/Author

    1. 19 May 1897 · HM Prison ReadingRelease from Reading Gaol

      Oscar Wilde was released from HM Prison Reading on 19 May 1897, ending his two-year sentence for gross indecency.

Sources

  1. Oscar Wilde Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-17
  2. The Picture of Dorian Gray Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-03
  3. Salome (play) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-08