Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol

From 22 October 2014 to 6 February 2015 there was a public exhibition at the RBA to mark the closure of Reading Prison.

The exhibition presented archival materials from the prison together with publications relating to Oscar Wilde's contribution to literary and cultural life.

Also on display were specially commissioned photographs taken of the prison at the moment that it was closed.

The event was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sonning Flowers, and was created by RBA together with the University of Reading.

A short film about the event is available below and via the link at the bottom of the page.

Also available below are a series of short stories written by children in Year 8, and inspired by the Victorian gaol.

Video link (not displaying)

Downloads – PDFs Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol – Year 8 short stories 1 and 2.

Related links – Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol: launch event, 20 October 2014 (interviews with Merlin Holland, Gyles Brandreth, RBA and University staff); Looking at the others, Journal of Vistorian Culture (article by Professor Peter Stoneley)