The British Library has reissued a reader’s card for the late Irish writer Oscar Wilde, 130 years after his original card was revoked due to his conviction for “gross indecency.” Wilde’s access to the library’s reading room was withdrawn in 1895 following legal actions related to his sexual orientation, which was criminalized at the time.
His grandson, Merlin Holland, is set to collect the new card in a ceremony that coincides with what would have been Wilde’s 171st birthday. The library’s decision aims to recognize the injustices Wilde faced, a point reaffirmed by Holland, who described the initiative as a meaningful acknowledgment of his grandfather’s legacy.
Wilde’s pass was revoked without comment in the trustees’ minutes dated June 15, 1895, shortly after he began serving a two-year prison sentence. This sentence followed a libel trial against Lord Queensberry, who accused Wilde of homosexuality after discovering his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas. At the time, library regulations mandated revocation of cards for anyone convicted of a crime.
The British Library maintains drafts of Wilde’s notable plays and the letter “De Profundis,” written to Douglas while Wilde was imprisoned. Holland noted he feels a sense of responsibility in representing his grandfather’s legacy and often receives messages about the impact of “De Profundis” on readers’ lives.
Dame Carol Black, chair of the British Library, highlighted Wilde’s significance in 19th-century literature, aiming to both honor his memory and confront the injustices he endured as a result of his conviction. The reissuing of the library card serves as a symbolic step towards acknowledging historical wrongs.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lymkm1jno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss