The British Library reprints the card of the Dublin poet Oscar Wilde

Five years before his death, in 1995, the board of directors of the British Library expelled the writer and poet Oscar Wilde when he was sentenced to two years in prison at the Old Baile court, accused of “gross indecency” for being homosexual. The card that was discarded 130 years ago has been reprinted as a tribute to the Dublin aesthete.

This Thursday, in a ceremony, the emblematic British library will hand over the grandson of the author of The Ballad of Reading Gaol, Merlin Hollanda membership card of the institution in the name of the famous Irish writer, with a photo included, as a tribute.

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“The delivery of your card is a nice gesture of apology and I am sure that your spirit will be touched and delighted,” said Holland, who publishes After Oscar: the Legacy of a Scandala biography of his grandfather.

This book by Wilde’s only descendant reviews the posthumous rehabilitation of the author, whose career ended in disgrace and poverty after being sentenced to two years in prison and will be presented tonight at the British Library followed by an introduction of Gyles Brandreth. Holland will be accompanied by the actor and writer Rupert Everett.

Coordinates about Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was convicted in May 1995 “of sodomy and gross indecency” after being accused by the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, father of lord Alfred Douglasaccusing him of having a romantic relationship with his son. In response, the poet rebuked him for slander. It was of little use, as he spent two years in prison in deplorable conditions.

When leaving, in addition to writing The Ballad of Reading Gaol jump between bushes Berneval-le-Gransnow Petit-Caux, in Normandy and Naplesin Italy, she reunited with Douglas, with whom she lived until the end of 1987, before giving in to family pressures related to money.

It was then that, under the name of Sebastian Melmothhe went to Paris to spend the rest of his life. On November 30, 1900, due to an attack of meningitis, Oscar Wilde died in the Alsace Hoteland Paris. By then, they say, the playwright had already become Catholic.