In the meantime, Wilde had written The Picture of Dorian Gray. It was one of the first attempts to bring homosexuality into an English novel. As a consequence, Wilde became both admired and reviled.

Incensed at his son's refusal to end his friendship with Wilde, Lord Queensberry spread the word that Wilde was a sodomite. Encouraged by Douglas, Wilde took libel proceedings against Queensberry.

Queensberry's lawyers set about accruing damaging evidence and young men were terrified into testifying to "shocking acts" with Wilde. The criminal evidence presented at the libel trial led to Wilde being charged with homosexual offences. In 15 separate counts, Wilde was accused of soliciting more than 12 boys, ten of whom were named, to commit sodomy. As a result of the charges Wilde became the first famous homosexual to be pilloried by the press.

During the trial Wilde was asked to explain what was meant by 'the love that dare not speak its name'. Wilde replied: "It is in this century misunderstood, so much misunderstood that it may be described as 'the love that dare not speak its name', and on account of it I am placed where I am now. It is beautiful, it is fine, it is the noblest form of affection. There is nothing unnatural about it."

Wilde was eventually charged with indecent behaviour with men and received the severest sentence possible: two years hard labour. Whilst in prison, Wilde wrote De Profundis in which he blames Douglas for his downfall. On his release, ostracised from society, Wilde moved to Paris where he died a broken man at the age of 44 in 1900.

You can find out more about Oscar Wilde from this academic website: www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/clarklib/wildphot