Richard ellmann, whose 1959 biography of james joyce became the definitive work on the irish novelist, died yesterday in oxford, england. Richard ellmann, in full richard david ellmann, born march 15, 1918, highland park, michigan, u. Stephen fry stars as playwright and largerthanlife personality oscar wilde in this lush historical drama based on the late richard ellmanns definitive biography of one of londons most prolific. Oscar wilde by richard ellmann 1988, paperback for sale. In this biography, wilde the legendary victorianbrilliant writer and conversationalist, reckless flouter of social and sexual conventionsis brought to life. Ellmann s account of wilde s extravagantly operatic life as poet. I owned a copy of this book since 2000 and reread it at leat 2. The author has been the subject of many biographies, both in book and film version, notably richard ellmanns 1988 work, oscar wilde, and the dramatic film wilde, released in the late 1990s. Richard david ellmann was an american literary critic and biographer of the irish writers james joyce, oscar wilde, and william butler yeats. Richard ellmann capped an illustrious career in biography his is considered one of the masterpieces of the 20th century with this life of oscar wilde, which won. Wilde lived a life of tremendous fame i finally finished it and although it took me a year to read it, i finally did it.
Ellmanns james joyce 1959, for which he won the national book award in 1960, is considered one of the better literary biographies of the 20th century and the 1982 revised edition of the work was. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born on october 16th, 1854 in dublin, ireland. Richard ellmann is currently considered a single author. Wilde was a movie star in a time before movies, a tabloid staple, and a constant bestseller, and ellmann makes him and his work come alive. Biographer richard ellmann writes that as wilde waited for the messengers return, he continued speaking with his peers about reading as if it had been a resort. Oscar wilde, by richard ellmann in recent decades oscar wilde has enjoyed a run on the intellectual exchange like no other victorian. Ellmann was a liberal humanist, and his academic work focused on the major modernist writers of the twentiet. Richard ellmanns biography has no subtitle and needs none. While this volume is a sophisticated, wideranging, scholarly biography, it also brims with. Publication date 1988 topics wilde, oscar, 18541900, wilde, oscar 18541900, wilde, oscar, 18541900, authors, irish, ecrivains irlandais publisher new york. Winner of both the national book critics circle award and the pulitzer prize, oscar wilde is the definitive biography of the tortured poet and playwright and the last book by renowned biographer and literary critic richard ellmann. Henry james, edith wharton and oscar wilde by their contemporaries.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read oscar wilde. Oscar wilde presentswithout limitation or special advocacythe whole of the artist. The book was the basis for the 1997 film wilde, directed by brian gilbert and starring stephen fry as the title character. Its 1982 revised edition was similarly recognised with the award of the james tait black memorial prize. Richard ellmann primary author only author division. It was left to michael holroyd to give george bernard shaw his due. National book award for nonfiction for james joyce 1959, which is one of the most acclaimed literary biographies of the 20th century. The author depicts wildes cometlike ascent on the victorian scene and his equally dramatic sudden eclipse. Ellmann dedicated two decades to the research and writing of this biography, resulting in a complex and richly detailed portrait of oscar wilde.
Oscar wilde by richard ellmann, 9780736641999, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Richard ellmann capped an illustrious career in biography his james joyce is considered one of the masterpieces of the 20th century with this life of oscar wilde, which won both the national book critics circle award and pulitzer prize on its original publication in 1988. He was the second child of parents sir william and jane wilde. National book award for nonfiction for james joyce 1959, 1 which is one of the most acclaimed literary biographies of the 20th century.
Just as wilde the playwright and poet established his place in the literary canon, so wilde the correspondent has been the object of critical examination. The year he met constance he published his first book of poetry, but already it was clear that his genius lay in his ideas about poetry and in his wit. I dream a world, by arnold rampersad oxford university press. With this volume, richard ellmann elevates oscar wilde into the select circle of irelands other literary giants of whom he wrote so eloquently.
Richard ellman is indeed the most authorative biographer on the life of irish genius oscar wilde. Buy oscar wilde new edition by ellmann, richard isbn. Oscar wilde by richard ellmann is a very detailed biography which brings out wildes enormous generosity and his boundless intellect. Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends. Ellmans biography oscar wilde won a pulitzer prize.
Richard ellmann, american literary critic and scholar, an expert on the life and works of james joyce, william butler yeats, oscar wilde, and other modern british and irish writers. May 14, 1987 richard ellmann, whose 1959 biography of james joyce became the definitive work on the irish novelist, died yesterday in oxford, england. Ellmanns account of wildes extravagantly operatic life as poet, playwright, aesthete, and martyr to sexual morality is. Richard david ellmann march 15, 1918 may, 1987 was an american literary critic and biographer of the irish writers james joyce, oscar wilde, and william butler yeats. Buy oscar wilde later printing by ellmann, professor richard isbn. Sep 04, 20 oscar wilde ebook written by richard ellmann. One of oscar wildes last stops in england before exile.
Sep 04, 20 winner of both the national book critics circle award and the pulitzer prize, oscar wilde is the definitive biography of the tortured poet and playwright and the last book by renowned biographer and literary critic richard ellmann. Feb 08, 2010 stephen fry stars as playwright and largerthanlife personality oscar wilde in this lush historical drama based on the late richard ellmann s definitive biography of one of londons most prolific. Winner of both the national book critics circle award and the pulitzer prize, oscar wilde is the definitive biography of the tortured poet and playwright. Richard ellmann in this biography, wilde the legendary victorianbrilliant writer and conversationalist, reckless flouter of social and sexual conventionsis brought to life. A portrait of the artist as a young man is in fact the gestation of a soul. Scholars continue to debate many of wildes critical positions. In the company of his friends, wilde wrote an eager letter to a jesuit mission nearby asking to take part in a sixmonth retreat. Oscar wilde by richard ellmann is a very detailed biography which brings out wilde s enormous generosity and his boundless intellect.
Richard ellmann march 15 1918 may 1987 was a prominent americanbritish literary critic and biographer of irish writers such as james joyce, oscar wilde, and william butler yeats. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Richard david ellmann was a prominent american literary critic and biographer of the irish writers james joyce, oscar wilde, and william butler yeats. Winner of both the national book critics circle award and the pulitzer prize, oscar wilde is the definitive biography of the tortured poet and. Knopf, 1987, which won a pulitzer prize and is widely considered the definitive biography of wilde. At once a bracingly honest account of ruinous attachment. National book award for nonfiction for james joyce, which is one of the most acclaimed literary biographies of the 20th century. He was an early advocate of criticism as an independent branch of literature and stressed its vital role in the creative process. In addition to joyce, he was an authority on several of irelands literary giants, including william butler yeats and oscar wilde. Richard ellmann believes that wilde contracted syphilis in his twenties, probably from a female prostitute, and that he told his wife that his illness had flared up again ellmann, 27578. Richard ellmann james joyce biography oxford biographer. Richard ellmann obviously knew just about everything there was to know about oscar wilde.
Although known primarily as the irreverent but dazzlingly witty playwright who penned the importance of being earnest, oscar wilde was also an able and farsighted critic. Ellmann dedicated two decades to the research and writing of this biography, resulting in a complex and richly. May 16, 1987 in addition to joyce, he was an authority on several of irelands literary giants, including william butler yeats and oscar wilde. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born in dublin on 16 october his father was a successful surgeon and his mother a writer and literary hostess. The english author oscar wilde was part of the art for arts sake movement in english literature at the end of the. In recent decades oscar wilde has enjoyed a run on the intellectual exchange like no other victorian.
Author of yeats, letters, james joyce, the identity of yeats, oscar wilde, a long the riverrun, ulysses on the liffey, the norton anthology of modern and contemporary poetry richard ellmann open library. Richard ellman won the pulitzer for his work on oscar wilde, and with good reason. Richard david ellmann march 15, 1918 may, 1987 was a prominent american literary critic and biographer of the irish writers james joyce, oscar wilde, and william butler yeats. Between those antipodes of accomplishment, ellmanns career was one distinguished by lifelong learning, teaching, and scholarship. More astute and forbearing, yet more fallible than legend has allowed, wilde.