Wilde’s Prison Writings

DISPLAY CASE

Wilde’s Prison Writings

De Profundis

De Profundis

Date: 1949 | Reference: Berkshire Record Office Reference Library

Whilst imprisoned in Reading, Wilde wrote a lengthy letter to Lord Alfred Douglas recounting their friendship and his prison experiences. A heavily edited version of this letter was published after Wilde's death as De Profundis (the editor, Wilde's friend, Robert Ross, was drawing on the opening line of Psalm 129 - De profundis clamavi ad te Domine - "From the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord"). Shown here is the first unexpurgated edition, published in 1949 with an introduction by Wilde's son Vyvyan Holland.

LEAVE A COMMENT >