The national library of the UK, the British Library, has honoured Irish writer Oscar Wilde by “symbolically reinstating” a reader’s card in his name.
The celebrated novelist, poet and playwright was excluded from the library's reading room in 1895 after he was charged with “gross indecency”.
The physical pass was officially handed over to Wilde’s only grandson Merlin Holland, who this week celebrated the launch of his new book “After Oscar”, which follows his grandfather’s legacy in the time since his death.
Background
Oscar Wilde is regarded as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian age.
Wilde’s reader pass was first revoked following the trial and conviction he faced as a result of legislation at the time that criminalised acts of "gross indecency" between men.
He was sentenced to two years of hard labour and was released from prison in 1897.
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In 2017, Wilde was among up to 100,000 men who were pardoned for homosexual acts that were no longer considered offences in the UK.
New card
The British Library said they hope the tribute will not only “honour Wilde’s memory” but also acknowledge the “injustices and immense suffering he faced as a result of his conviction.”
Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland, who collected the card on his behalf, called it a “lovely gesture of forgiveness”.
“I'm sure his spirit will be touched and delighted,” he said.
The date of Oscar Wilde's death, 30 November 1900, has been used as the new card's expiry date.
