Born to Be Wilde: Exploring the Anarchism of Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is remembered as a wit and a dandy, as a gay martyr, and as a brilliant writer, but his philosophical depth and political radicalism are often forgotten. This lecture will make the case for taking Wilde -- and his politics -- seriously. It will consider Wilde's claim to being an anarchist, relating it to his use of the terms "socialism" and "individualism" in his most famous political essay, and considering the implications for the rest of his work, as well as the course of his life.

Discussion to follow

Kristian Williams has written about Wilde's philosophy for New Politics, Toward Freedom, Commonweal, and the Institute for Anarchist Studies. He is presently at work on a book about Wilde and anarchism.