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Oscar Wilde: First photo of prisoner he was 'attracted to' revealed | Oscar Wilde: First photo of prisoner he was 'attracted to' revealed |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The only known photograph of a working-class man Oscar Wilde took an interest in has been unearthed in a search of Reading Prison archives. | The only known photograph of a working-class man Oscar Wilde took an interest in has been unearthed in a search of Reading Prison archives. |
The picture of Henry Bushnell was found by Prof Peter Stoneley, from the University of Reading, who carried out a study of Wilde's fellow prisoners. | The picture of Henry Bushnell was found by Prof Peter Stoneley, from the University of Reading, who carried out a study of Wilde's fellow prisoners. |
He said the playwright had been "attracted to" Bushnell but details of their relationship were unknown. | |
Wilde was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for homosexuality in 1895. | Wilde was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for homosexuality in 1895. |
In a letter the disgraced playwright mentioned a "little dark-eyed chap", believed to be labourer Bushnell, who was jailed for theft 21 times between 1892 and 1911, said Prof Stoneley. | In a letter the disgraced playwright mentioned a "little dark-eyed chap", believed to be labourer Bushnell, who was jailed for theft 21 times between 1892 and 1911, said Prof Stoneley. |
Most inmates were not photographed but, as a repeat offender, Bushnell was. There are seven mugshots of him in the archives of the recently closed Reading Prison. | Most inmates were not photographed but, as a repeat offender, Bushnell was. There are seven mugshots of him in the archives of the recently closed Reading Prison. |
'Private relationships' | 'Private relationships' |
Speaking on the 160th anniversary of Wilde's birth, Prof Stoneley said: "We don't know the full details of the relationship between Wilde and Bushnell. | Speaking on the 160th anniversary of Wilde's birth, Prof Stoneley said: "We don't know the full details of the relationship between Wilde and Bushnell. |
"However, Victorian prisoners were not officially even allowed to speak to each other while in prison - much less eat or work together, or form private relationships. | "However, Victorian prisoners were not officially even allowed to speak to each other while in prison - much less eat or work together, or form private relationships. |
"What we do know is that as well as mentioning him in his letters, Wilde sent money to Bushnell after he was released from prison, although further meetings are unlikely." | "What we do know is that as well as mentioning him in his letters, Wilde sent money to Bushnell after he was released from prison, although further meetings are unlikely." |
Records about the execution of Charles Wooldridge, the soldier whose death is the subject of Wilde's work The Ballad of Reading Gaol, were also found in the archives. | Records about the execution of Charles Wooldridge, the soldier whose death is the subject of Wilde's work The Ballad of Reading Gaol, were also found in the archives. |
In records that detail the execution of Trooper Wooldridge, the prison doctor noted that he had a "rather long" neck. | In records that detail the execution of Trooper Wooldridge, the prison doctor noted that he had a "rather long" neck. |
The study revealed details of the Victorian prison system, which Wilde went on to campaign against. | The study revealed details of the Victorian prison system, which Wilde went on to campaign against. |
The Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol exhibition opens at the Berkshire Record Office on Monday. | The Oscar Wilde and Reading Gaol exhibition opens at the Berkshire Record Office on Monday. |