Oscar’s Missing 1895 Posters
Robert Whelan reveals the story of the 1895 posters of Wilde’s plays
Resources
The following free online resources may be of interest. Note that these sites are not maintained by the Oscar Wilde Society.
Annotated Bibliography Of Wilde Manuscripts and Their Provenances
Wolfgang Maier-Sigrist has published an annotated bibliography of the manuscripts of Oscar Wilde, on the Internet. This free resource is the result of three years’ work and is an amazingly extensive and detailed look at Oscar’s manuscripts and their provenances. It will be of interest to writers, researchers and other Wildeans.
Musical Adaptations
Our member Tine Englebert wrote her PhD on Wilde on musical adaptations of of Oscar Wilde’s works. Her thesis contains a list of over 500 musical adaptations, grouped by the work they are based on.
Oscar Wilde in America
John Cooper maintains an active and thoroughly researched website covering every aspect of Oscar’s visits to America – and more.
The Importance of Being Earnest – Critical Commentary
Professor Joseph Donohue has compiled a comprehensive inventory of critical responses to Oscar Wilde’s best-loved play.
‘The Portrait of Mr. W.H.’ – Extended Edition Including Manuscript
COVE, Collaborative Organization for Virtual Education, is publishing a new digital peer-reviewed edition of Wilde’s extended edition of ‘The Portrait of Mr W.H.’ This edition will likely be of interest to many Wilde scholars, particularly since it contains full holograph imaging of the manuscript of Wilde’s edited notebook held by the Rosenbach Library and Museum in Philadelphia. It has been the work of several years, much academic input (including from OWS members like Geoff Dibb), and required academic grant funding as well as permission from Merlin Holland, grandson of Wilde and honorary patron of the Oscar Wilde Society.
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Learn about this edition of ‘The Portrait of Mr. W.H.’ and see the online gallery of images
Mason Library – Hisao Honma Collection
This is an online archive of the Hisao Honma collection, held in the Mason Library at the Jissen Women’s University in Japan. It includes a large collection of materials belonging to Wilde’s son Vyvyan Holland, his friend and literary executor Robert Ross, and bibliographer and book dealer Christopher Millard (alias Stuart Mason). Hisao Honma was the first Japanese translator of De Profundis and a prolific writer on fin-de-siècle English literature. Included are several volumes of news clippings related to Wilde. The site has both Japanese and English sections.
Performances of Oscar Wilde’s Plays in London in 1895
In the early months of 1895 Oscar Wilde was at the peak of his success. He had two very successful plays running in London’s West End – An Ideal Husband at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and The Importance of Being Earnest at the St James’s Theatre. Two weeks after the first night of Earnest Wilde was handed the Marquess of Queensberry’s card accusing him of ‘posing’ as a sodomite and he took the fateful decision to bring an action for criminal libel. He was then in his turn prosecuted for ‘gross indecency’ and sentenced to two years’ hard labour. It is part of the Wilde legend that managers tried to keep his plays running by removing his name from the publicity.
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This table shows the dates on which Wilde’s worsening situation impacted on the runs of both plays and resulted in their premature closure. This table, which shows all performances of both plays, reveals how immensely popular they were before the scandal broke. By 1895 Saturday matinees were routine but mid-week matinees were more unusual. Both plays had mid-week matinees from very early in their runs and there were two weeks in which An Ideal Husband had three matinees.
Oscar Wilde Theatre Programmes
This website reflects the collection belonging to Steven Halliwell, a collector and publisher. The images are relatively small but for some entries. larger images are available. The website is being continuously updated and the aim is to introduce 15 to 20 new items each month. At the moment there are over 1000 entries.
Learn and Celebrate
Our Events
Oscar Wilde Society AGM and Talk
The Oscar Wilde Society's annual general meeting will be held September 4, followed by a talk from Whistler biographer Daniel E. Sutherland.
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Oscar Wilde Birthday Dinner
The Oscar Wilde Society will host its annual birthday dinner on 16 October 2026 at The Athenaeum in London.
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Join a Community of Wilde Readers
The Oscar Wilde Society brings together readers, scholars, and enthusiasts to explore Wilde’s writing, life, and continuing influence. Membership includes Society publications, invitations to talks and visits, and the chance to take part in informed, thoughtful conversation about Wilde’s work.
Joining is a way to support the Society’s work and to stay closely connected to the world of Oscar Wilde throughout the year.
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Latest News
Society News
Explore Wildean Editions
13 July 2026
You can now explore each edition of The Wildean on our website.
Society News
Intentions for Sale
13 July 2026
You can now purchase and download issues of Intentions, the Oscar Wilde Society's illustrated quarterly newsletter.
Society News
Video: Rob Marland on Wilde’s ‘Vera’
5 July 2026
Rob Marland explains the troubled history of Wilde's flop 'Vera; or, The Nihilists'