evidence: Humanities › Literature › Plays & Drama › Playwrights › Biography of Oscar Wilde, Irish Poet and Playwright Print Photograph of Oscar Wilde in 1882 by Napoleon Sarony (Image credit: Heritage Images / Getty Images). Heritage Images / Getty Images Literature Plays & Drama Playwrights Basics & Advice Play & Drama Reviews Monologues Best Sellers Classic Literature Poetry Quotations Shakespeare Short Stories Children's Books By Amanda Prahl Amanda Prahl Assistant Editor M.F.A, Dramatic Writing, Arizona State University B.A., English Literature, Arizona State University B.A., Political Science, Arizona State University Amanda Prahl is a playwright, lyricist, freelance writer, and university instructor. Her history and arts writing has been featured on Slate, HowlRound, and BroadwayWorld. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 28, 2019 Born Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, Oscar Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was a popular poet, novelist, and playwright in the late 19th century. He wrote some of the most enduring works in the English language, but is equally remembered for his scandalous personal life, which ultimately led to his imprisonment.