The only known photograph of a working-class man Oscar Wilde took an interest in [Sic] has been unearthed in a search of Reading Prison archives.
The picture of Henry Bushnell was found by Prof Peter Stoneley, from the University of Reading, who carried out a study of Wilde's fellow prisoners.
He said the playwright had been "attracted to" Bushnell but details of their relationship were unknown.
Wilde was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for homosexuality in 1895.
In a letter the disgraced [Sic] playwright mentioned a "little dark-eyed chap", believed to be labourer Bushnell, who was jailed for theft 21 times between 1892 and 1911, said Prof Stoneley.
Most inmates were not photographed but, as a repeat offender, Bushnell was. There are seven mugshots of him in the archives of the recently closed Reading Prison...
You got good taste, Oscar!
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i would say so.
ReplyDeletebut if i was engaged in an act of fornication with this man, the jumper would have to go. obviously.