I can resist everything except temptation.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (* October, 16, 1854 in Dublin; † November, 30, 1900 in Paris) was an Irish author, poet and one of the most controversial figures of his time. His father was a renowned doctor and wrote books about archeology, while his mother was a poet and translator. Due to his upbringing, young Wilde practically grew into his future occupation as an author.
Upon finishing his studies in classical literature (with honors of course), he embarked on his travels in Italy and later became a member of the Freemasons in Oxford. Soon, he became known as an aesthete, and his writing career picked up swiftly in London. However, the prude Victorian society did not care for his outlook at all.
Surprisingly enough, the final blow in his career came when his romantic relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas was discovered.
Back then, homosexuality was forbidden, and as punishment, Wilde was sentenced to penal servitude. This incident completely ruined his health as well as his reputation. He died at 46, completely broke, in a Parisian hotel.
