Identity:

William Wilde was a journalist and the younger brother of Oscar Wilde. He was married twice, first to a wealthy American widow and newspaper owner, Mrs Frank Leslie on 4 October 1891. They divorced on 10 June 1893. His second marriage, to Irish girl Sophie (Lily) Lees in January 1894, resulted in a daughter, Dorothy (Dolly) Ierne (1895-1941).

Life:

Willie Wilde moved to London in 1879 and left law for journalism. He was leader writer for the Daily Telegraph from about 1880-1891, and also wrote for the World and Vanity Fair. He left London for New York from September 1891 until spring 1892, during which time he got married. In early 1892, he went back to the Daily Telegraph in London, but after a less than favourable review of Lady Windermere's Fan appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 22 February 1892, which was attributed to Willie, he persuaded his wife to return to New York. There he remained, until after his divorce and expulsion from the Lotus Club; he was back living with his mother in London in October 1893. At this point Oscar and his brother stopped speaking to each other, until on 7 May 1895, Oscar sought shelter at Willie's home, in between trials. In Holland, Merlin and Rupert Hart-Davis, eds, The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde, London, 2000, there is a letter from Constance Wilde of 25 June 1884 which confirms Willie is living in London at this time.

Bibliography:

Holland, Merlin and Rupert Hart-Davis, eds, The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde, London, 2000, Ellmann, Richard, Oscar Wilde, London, 1987.