Basil Ward
The conclusion of the bogus Basil Ward in the publishing history Oscar Wilde's "The Picture Of Dorian Gray".
Oscar Wilde Blog
Editorial Journal of John Cooper on Oscar Wilde
Latest posts
Faulty Basil
Origin of the Specious. The evolution of the bogus Basil Ward in the publishing history Oscar Wilde's "The Picture Of Dorian Gray".
Basil Hallward
Basil Hallward was not about to let the mere matter of a frenzied knife attack, fatal though it was, prevent him from conducting his own secondary existence.
Bonhams
More about the withdrawal from a 1998 Bonhams auction of a photograph of Oscar Wilde, plus the Wilde-related statuette that was included.
Not Oscar
In his recent retrospective After Oscar, Merlin Holland recalls how he was often called upon to verify ostensible photographs of Oscar Wilde. One such photograph purported to show a young Oscar in an assembly of pupils at Portora Royal School. View the story and photograph here.
Robert Ross
Robert Ross had attended Oscar Wilde on his deathbed. Here is his account of when he revisited the scene eight years later.
Dream World
The pathways of the poets are often traversed by dreamers destined to wake up one day to the dangers of the real world. One such idealist in Victorian London was Oscar Wilde.
The Friend of Oscar Wilde
in August 1895, Lord Alfred Douglas spent some time in Le Havre and it was not long before, characteristically, he engaged in a spat with the local press.
Last Rites
An analysis of the events and timeline of the Last Rites administered to Oscar Wilde on his death bed, as performed by Father Cuthbert Dunne.
Fashion Statement
If you missed my Dress Lecture given on December 6 or wish to view it again (!) the Victorian Society in America has extended availability until January 3, 2026.
Autumnal
Ernest Dowson's poem of Autumn. That tseason where shadow and the darkness meet.
Dress Lecture
Free Online Lecture Oscar Wilde on Dress by John Cooper Via Zoom Webinar DATE: Saturday, December 6 at 2pm EST (GMT -05:00)
End of the Innocence
Whitehouse vs. The BBC—A Perversely Topical headline but actually about a cartoon of Oscar Wilde from 1971.
After Oscar
An introduction to 'After Oscar' by Merlin Holland, which is a retrospective of the societal and family legacy of his grandfather Oscar Wilde.
Peters Portraits
The young and ill-fated American poet William Theodore Peters was integral to the clique of 1890s British decadents. One fact upholding this claim is that even the doyen of the movement, Oscar Wilde, had a portrait of him hanging in his Tite Street drawing room.
Lecture Tour 1882
Now with a new landing page by digital creator Jon Darby, discover Oscar Wilde's lecture tour of North America during which he conducted 141 lectures over 11 months of 1882.
Angus Wilson
Angus Wilson's article in "The London Magazine" from 1955 in which he appraises Oscar Wilde's downfall.
Oscariana In Dublin III
In its third year, Oscariana celebrates the birth of Oscar Wilde at his childhood home and other locations in Dublin.
Oscar Wilde On Dress (2025)
Oscar Wilde On Dress (2025) — BOOK LISTING: read more about this fascinating book along with a note from the publisher.
On Dress
An introduction to the new book "Oscar Wilde On Dress" together with a podcast interview with its author.