Paul Glynn in BBC:
The British Library has honoured late Irish writer Oscar Wilde by reissuing a reader’s card in his name, 130 years after his original was revoked following his conviction for “gross indecency”.
The celebrated novelist, poet and playwright was excluded from the library’s reading room in 1895 over his charge for having had homosexual relationships, which was a criminal offence at the time.
The new card, which will be collected by his grandson, author Merlin Holland, on Thursday, is intended to “acknowledge the injustices and immense suffering” Wilde faced, the library said.
Mr Holland said the new card is a “lovely gesture of forgiveness and I’m sure his spirit will be touched and delighted”.
More here.
Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.