An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List
342: The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Downfall and Prison (Part 2)
June 19, 2023
Description
Books Referenced
Author: Matthew Sturgis
Context:
Referenced multiple times as a biography of Oscar Wilde. Described as 'absolutely wonderful biography' and used as a source throughout the episode for details about Wilde's trials and imprisonment.
Author: Walter Pater
Context:
Mentioned as one of the books that Richard Haldane arranged for Wilde to receive in prison, along with works by St. Augustine and Cardinal Newman.
Author: Charles Dickens
Context:
Referenced indirectly through the character Bill Sykes when discussing how Wilde's punishment would be worse for him than 'for a Bill Sykes' - the murderer from the Dickens novel.
Author: Arthur Ransom
Context:
Mentioned briefly when discussing Lord Alfred Douglas's later life and legal troubles, noting 'there was some case with Arthur Ransom' who is identified as 'the author of Swallows and Amazons.'