Lord Alfred Douglas Biography
| Born as | Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas |
| Known as | Bosie Douglas |
| Occup. | Poet |
| From | England |
| Spouse | Olive Custance (1902-1944) |
| Born | October 22, 1870
Powick, Worcestershire, England |
| Died | March 20, 1945
Lancing, Sussex, England |
| Aged | 74 years |
Early Life and Family
Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas, commonly known as
Bosie, was born on October 22, 1870, in Worcestershire, England. He was the third boy and fourth kid of John Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry and his better half, Sibyl Montgomery. His mom, a skilled amateur pianist, brought art and culture to the family household. Throughout his childhood, Douglas established an enthusiasm for music and poetry. However, his mom's abrupt death in 1878 left an enduring impact on him and he frequently referenced her in his later works.
As the youngest kid of an aristocratic family, Douglas was constantly aware of the opportunities and obligations connected to his title. He received a premium education, participating in schools such as Winchester College, and later on Magdalen College at the University of Oxford. He was understood for his charm, good looks, and rebellious spirit, which attracted the attention of both the Victorian establishment and early members of the homosexual underground.
Literary Career
Douglas's early years at Oxford triggered his interest in poetry, and he soon started to make a name for himself as a poet in the 1890s. His early works were strongly affected by the Aesthetic and Decadent movements, and much of his poems handled themes of charm, love, and desire. His first collection of poetry, titled "Poems", was published in 1896, when he was just 25 years old. Initially, his work was praised by critics and appreciated by other poets, resulting in the publication of several more collections throughout his lifetime, consisting of "Sonnets" (1900), "The City of the Soul" (1899), and "In Excelsis" (1924).
Douglas also ventured into prose writing, publishing several autobiographical works and translations, consisting of an English variation of "Salome" by
Oscar Wilde.
Relationship with Oscar Wilde
One of the most considerable relationships in Douglas's life was with the distinguished Irish playwright and author,
Oscar Wilde. They first satisfied in 1891 when Douglas was a student at Oxford, and Wilde was already an established literary figure. The 2 quickly ended up being inseparable, with Wilde functioning as both a coach and lover to the young aristocrat. Their relationship was characterized by extreme passion, jealousy, and turmoil.
In 1895, Wilde was implicated of 'gross indecency' by Douglas's dad, the Marquess of Queensberry, due to their homosexual relationship. Although homosexuality was considered a criminal activity at the time, Wilde decided to pursue legal action against Queensberry for libel. This choice eventually backfired, as Queensberry managed to present evidence of Wilde's relationships with other guys during the trial, causing Wilde's own arrest and conviction for gross indecency. He spent two years in jail, during which time his reputation and health were badly harmed.
Although Douglas's relationship with Wilde played a considerable role in the playwright's failure, the 2 remained in contact even after Wilde's release from prison. Nevertheless, their relationship was never ever the very same, and they eventually drifted apart, both emotionally and geographically.
Later On Life and Death
After his tempestuous relationship with Wilde, Douglas went on to lead a rather turbulent life. In 1902, he married Olive Custance, a fellow poet, and together they had one child, Raymond Wilfred Sholto Douglas. However, the couple separated in 1913, with Douglas maintaining custody of their son. During this time, he continued to write and publish, though the quality of his work was often overshadowed by his earlier scandals and associations with Wilde.
Douglas eventually transformed to Roman Catholicism and became understood for his conservative views and controversial writings on religious beliefs and morality. He kept a highly litigious nature throughout his life, participating in many claims versus previous pals, publishers, and anyone else who he felt had slighted him.
Lord Alfred Douglas passed away on March 20, 1945, at the age of 74 in Saint Andrews, a village on the southeastern coast of England. While his credibility was ruined by scandal and debate throughout his life time, he stays a crucial and intriguing figure in the history of British literature and the Romantic motion.
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Related authors: Oscar Wilde (Dramatist), Lord Alfred Douglas (Poet), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
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