Irish writer and leader of the Aesthetic Movement, author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Happy Prince, etc., whose career and health were shattered by his imprisonment on charges of sodomy. ALS, two pages, 5.25 x 8, La Belle Sauvage letterhead, October 8, 1887. Letter to Mrs. Fenwick Miller. In full: “I find that the question of education as a profession for women has been already dealt with by Miss Edith Simcox, so I hope you will send me instead a monograph on some remarkable woman—it should be short, vivid, and concentrated—But no one knows better than you do what the qualities of a good article are.” In fine condition, with scattered light toning and soiling, short splits along integral fold, erased pencil notation to top of first page and an ink notation to top of second page.
The paper referenced by Wilde was Simcox’s “Women’s Work and Women’s Wages.” In June 1887, the influential Wilde became the editor of The Lady's World, renaming the publication The Woman's World and changing the direction of the publication. Under his editorship the magazine focused less on cooking and fashion, instead targeting higher education for women, women abroad, and women in the workplace. Ultimately bored with the project, he retired in 1889. Given the debate of women’s equality and suffrage that was simmering at the time, Wilde’s attitude reflects one of the few progressive stances of the day. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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