Dublin’s famous literary son became one of Oxford’s most notable eccentrics when he arrived as an undergraduate 150 years ago, writes Nicola Lisle

Arriving in Oxford as an unknown provincial Irishman in October, 1874, Oscar Wilde wasted little time in making his presence felt in this great city of learning, establishing a reputation as a brilliant scholar and a renowned wit and dandy. His affection for the city he once hailed as ‘the most beautiful thing in England’ remained with him for the rest of his life.

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Willis Wilde was born at 21 Westland Row, Dublin, on 16th October, 1854 to Sir William Wilde (1815-1876), a surgeon, and Lady Jane Wilde, née Elgee (1821-1896), a poet. He had an elder brother, William Charles Kingsbury Wilde (1852-1899) – known as Willie – who became a poet and journalist, and a younger sister, Isola Francesca Emily Wilde, who was born in 1857 and tragically died from a fever just short of her tenth birthday.

A heartbroken Oscar, who was devoted to the sister he described as ‘a golden ray of sunshine’, wrote the poem Requiescat in her memory in 1881.

Wilde was educated at home before going on to Portora Royal School, Eniskillen, at the age of nine. Here he began to show the academic excellence that was to blossom in Oxford, and he was hailed as a child prodigy. In 1871, he won a scholarship to read classics at Trinity College, Dublin, where he developed a keen interest in Greek literature, winning the Berkeley Gold Medal in Greek in his final year.

In June, 1874, he successfully sat the scholarship exams for Oxford, and he arrived at Magdalen College in October, aged 20, to read classics – a subject he knew he could excel in while also spending time enjoying the cultural delights that Oxford had to offer.

One of his favourite habits, established early on, was to stroll along Oxford’s High Street from his rooms at Magdalen to the 13th century Mitre Inn for breakfast.
Still a popular watering hole with both ‘town and gown’, the inn was recently taken over by Gusto Italian but has retained its historic frontage and other original features.

Wilde would no doubt approve!

An important influence during Wilde’s first year in Oxford was John Ruskin, the Slade Professor of Fine Art.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own