Oscar Wilde: A Certain Genius

As Continental forces and Virginia militia units were engaged in winning independence, American quartermasters and provisioners struggled to provide these units with all the necessities of life, from meals and guns to meat, fodder for horses, the horses themselves, firewood, and every other type of material. Much of this was requisitioned from the civilian population and certificates were issued payable in either continental or state funds, depending on the units supplied, upon presentation to court authorities. Thousands of these certificates issued to Virginians were duly entered by the courts, and they provide a fascinating insight into the period of the Revolution. These "Publick" Claims booklets contain interesting and useful information about the contributions of ordinary people to the Revolutionary War. They provide some details of people's service in the militia or as guards for prisoners of war; they indicate where some bodies of troops were at particular times; and they identify providers of horses, wagons, cattle, grain, or other supplies. Much of the information in these booklets cannot be found anywhere else, which makes the surviving records particularly valuable. Also remarkable is the fact that records survived from virtually every county in the state at that time with the exception of the newly formed Kentucky counties. This makes the collection even more valuable in covering areas which heretofore in this time period have suffered from a lack of personal data. The "Virginia Publick Claims" are published by counties. In addition to a faithful transcription by Janice Luck Abercrombie and the late Richard Slatten, a complete index is provided for each county booklet. This series is an extremely important genealogical tool for searchers in Revolutionary-era materials.

Ms. Bedford made no pretention to focusing upon a particular aspect of Oscar Wilde's life. Rather, she intended to offer a truly unbiased volume of carefully researched biographical information regarding Wilde and his societal surroundings. Many other readers have criticized the work for its seeming lack of spirit and depth. Ms. Bedford did not wish to offer such things, however. It is the duty of the reader to take the work and make one's own opinions regarding Wilde's life. Such a practice is rarely performed in modern times since the reading public are so very used to being told what to like - an attitude Wilde fought so much against. The volume meets the standard set by the author in the introduction, as well as the standards of biographies of its kind. It is, on the whole, a very good work.

I have always loved to read about the life and times of Oscar Wilde. This book is a great read as it is concise (312 pages, to the point, and does not romanticize or canonize its subject. Oscar is presented to us in the words of the author as being full of life and full of himself. He could be charming, witty, intelligent, generous and insightful and on the other hand he was also at times petty, conceited, inconsiderate and self centered. You could imagine him laying in bed at night trying to come up with some witty epigram or saying to charm the public. That he succeeded more often then not refelects well on his intellect. Most importantly the author debunks the theory espoused by Richard Ellman and others that Oscar Wilde contracted syphillis at Oxford and his early death at the age of 46 was a result. Oscar never exhibited signs of syphilis and he died of cerebral meningitis due to a fall he had in prison. The myth of Wilde's syphilis was most probably created by his freind and former lover Robbie Ross in order to romanticize him.The story of Wilde's downfall with his lawsuit agains the Marquis of Queensberry (preceded by his relationship with Queensberry's unworthy son Lord Alfred "Bosie" Doublas) is well documented. The intolerance and cruelty of the British is truly horrifying. Macauley once commented on "the English in one of their periodic fits of morality." Wilde could have and should have fled to France but it seems to me that he saw himself as a character in one of his plays albeit a Greek tragedy. The author also delves into the whole Dorian Gray saga as well as the classic Wilde comedies.I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone interested in Oscar Wilde in particular or in Victorian England in general or anyone such as myself who is in love with the "romance" of that era which includes swirling fogs, hansom cabs, gaslit lamps, Cafe Royal society, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper, etc.As an aside anyone visiting London who is interested in WIlde and his times should take London Walks "Oscar Wilde's London" walk given every Saturday morning. It is well worth it!

Every ten to twenty years there should be a new biography of Oscar Wilde.This book is a good look at Oscar Wilde as seen and, perhaps, judged, from our times. Unlike older biographies, his social life is brought out much more.The book is a good addition to any Wilde fan's library. Some uncommon anecdotes will be found.

OSCAR WILDE; A CERTAIN GENIUS, is a great read. Barbara Belford does an excellent job explaining Wilde's success and his self-destruction. Her book is filled with anecdotes about and insights into Wilde's brilliance and his impact on Britain in the last decades of the nineteenth century. OSCAR WILDE should appeal to those readers who want Oscar plain (if that's possible) as opposed to a footnote driven academic study. Enjoy.