Author Description

This is the second volume in the Oxford English Texts edition of the works of Oscar Wilde. It presents for the first time the complete textual history of one of the most famous love letters ever written. It argues, however, that Wilde's prison document may be seen not just as the basis of a letter, but also as an unfinished literary work which he intended for public consumption at some future date. Such a case is made by placing in the public domain, often for the first time, a number of different works, derived from different texts, each of which bears witness to Wilde's multiple intentions for his prison document. The commentary to this edition sets Wilde's story of his own life in De Profundis against the testimony of other players in his drama.