The British Library is set to symbolically reinstate Oscar Wilde's readers' pass, allowing access 130 years after he was expelled due to a conviction under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885. His only grandson, Merlin Holland, will receive the replacement pass during a special event in October 2025, marking the launch of his book, After Oscar. This act reflects changing societal values and recognizes Wilde’s enduring literary legacy, as the Library holds a collection of his works, including personal letters penned during his imprisonment.
The British Library will symbolically reinstate Oscar Wilde's readers' pass, giving his grandson entry to the library, 130 years after Wilde was expelled.
Wilde's expulsion was a consequence of his trial and conviction under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which criminalized "gross indecency" between men.
The original minute of exclusion noted Wilde's imprisonment sentence and directed that he be barred from future access to the Museum Reading Rooms.
Merlin Holland will receive the replacement readers' pass at a special event in October 2025, coinciding with the launch of his new book After Oscar.
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