Oscar Wilde, an Irish playwright, poet, and author, was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. Known for his barbed wit, satirical prowess, and flamboyant style, Wilde became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and Magdalen College, Oxford, he was a proponent of the aesthetic movement, which endorsed art for art's sake, and he famously promoted the doctrine of aestheticism through his works and life. Wilde's initial foray into the literary world as a poet is exemplified in his collection 'Charmides, and Other Poems,' which reflects his early command of language and themes of beauty and aesthetics. However, his reputation primarily hinges on his novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and plays like 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'An Ideal Husband,' which adeptly criticize Victorian society. Posthumously, Wilde's literary significance burgeoned, and scholars have valorized his work for its literary merit and social commentary. His sharp wit and celebration of beauty have influenced generations of writers. Wilde's career was tragically eclipsed when he was imprisoned for homosexuality, a scandal that overshadowed his later years. He died in Paris, on November 30, 1900, yet remains an enduring figure in literary history.