Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet, and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit and a plentitude of aphorisms, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest.

Wilde's literary journey started with a firm background in the classics, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism and moved to London, where he integrated into fashionable cultural and social circles.

During his career, Wilde produced a variety of literary works, including Salome (written in French), though it was not performed in England due to censorship. His only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, explores themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty.

At the height of his fame, Wilde's life took a dramatic turn due to a series of trials, ultimately leading to his imprisonment for two years for "gross indecency" with other men. This marked a downfall from which he never recovered. Upon his release, he moved to France and lived in poverty until his death.