Matthew: Yes, it’s always important to remember that he was born in Dublin, which was in part of the United Kingdom, but had it’s a very sort of distinctive culture and energy and he was the child of really sort of Dublin celebrities. And he had quite influential parents, didn’t he?

Holly: So shall we start talking about Oscar and he was born in 1854. Matthew Sturgis: Not at all nice to be here. So welcome, Matthew, and thank you for joining me today. I think we should probably just begin, Matthew is an absolute darling to speak to and he speaks so enthusiastically and beautifully about Oscar’s life with Bosie as they fought for that love when society deemed it to be illegal. And so I really hope, from this discussion with Matthew that you too will see the intense and overwhelming and deep love that this couple had for each other and the sheer injustice in the way in which they were treated. It was really interesting for me to think about Oscar and Bosie within the timeline of the persecution of desire, and I felt so tenderly for this couple they really won a place in my heart. Really, their love was remarkable and has an everlasting legacy due to their refusal to conform to the social and sexual orthodoxies of the day, which really makes Oscar and Bosie an inspiration to all who seek to challenge convention. Now, I think we all kind of have our own understanding of who these men are. And I think that’s so heroic in standing up for the fact that love is love is love.

Now I really wanted to look at their relationship, because it resulted in a man going to the law to defend his love. So of course, if you haven’t guessed until now, we will today be delving into the relationship between playwright and poet Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, or Bosie. It is an extraordinary work that was named a Sunday Times Book of the Year. He has also written the first major biography of Oscar Wilde in 30 years – Oscar: A Life. He’s a member of the Oscar Wilde society and contributes reviews to their journal. So Matthew has contributed to the Daily Telegraph and Independent on Sunday. This week I’m joined by historian and biographer Matthew Sturgis. It is one that I am really excited to tell because I think it’s so important. I hope today that you’re going to enjoy this next love story. As I mentioned in the last episode, which was about the Howard family of Castle Howard, we are officially halfway through the first season and it has been such a joy for me to hear all of your feedback and to create a community over on the Past Loves Instagram page which I have just adored growing, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has listened so far. Holly: Hello, and welcome to Past Loves the new weekly history podcast that looks at affection, infatuation and attachment across time to bring you the lighter side of history and a touch of romance to daily life.

Oscar wilde and alfred douglas