CSIS students and faculty now have access to two exceptional examples of early gay literature that share a connection with famed Victorian writer Oscar Wilde, newly available at the UBC Library.
It’s long been suspected — but remains unproven — that Wilde may have authored or contributed to the texts. “Even if Wilde didn’t write them, the speculation is still a fascinating part of his enduring mythology,” says Gregory Mackie, CSIS faculty member and Assistant Professor in UBC’s Dept. of English. “These are crucial documents in queer history, literary history, sexuality studies and studies of erotica.”
Wilde remains loved for his writing and witty sayings. Following a scandalous trial, he was imprisoned for gross indecency; he died in 1900 at the age of 46, a few years after his release.
Teleny was first published in 1893, and only five known sets of the two-volume publication remain. Meanwhile, there are only three known copies of Des Grieux, published in 1899. “UBC is the only collection in the world with both texts, and that is huge from a research perspective,” says Justin O’Hearn, a PhD candidate in Victorian literature at UBC.
The books sold for about $23,000 (Des Grieux) and $16,000 (Teleny). The Library’s contribution was taken from a fund earmarked for rare and special acquisitions. Three thousand dollars of the books cost was raised via a crowdsourcing website, initiated by an enterprising UBC graduate student.
