Oscar Wilde was once vibrant and full of life, but the trial and his subsequent imprisonment destroyed him--mentally and physically. On May 19, 1897, Wilde was released from jail. He died just three years after being released from prison, in November of 1900.

Historically, it was believed that Oscar Wilde died from syphilis, but more recent studies have reported that he died of a severe ear infection. According to Dr. Ashley Robins, with the University of Cape Town in South Africa, "Oscar Wilde died of meningoencephalitis secondary to chronic right middle-ear disease."

Take a look at a few works, from Oscar Wilde.

In The Ballad of Reading Gaol, Oscar Wilde wrote:

"In Reading gaol by Reading town
There is a pit of shame,
And in it lies a wretched man
Eaten by teeth of flame,
In a burning winding-sheet he lies,
And his grave has got no name."

Read more about Oscar Wilde.

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