Artists & Writers · 19th Century
Oscar Wilde’s Last Words
“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”— Oscar Wilde, November 30, 1900
Who Was Oscar Wilde?
Oscar Wilde was one of the most celebrated playwrights of the Victorian era, known for works including The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray. His sharp wit and flamboyant style made him a cultural icon.
The Final Moments
Wilde died in a cheap Paris hotel room after years of poverty and exile following his imprisonment for gross indecency. His friends Robert Ross and Reggie Turner were present at his bedside.
Are These Words Verified?
The wallpaper quip was likely said weeks before death, not as final words. Ross reported Wilde's actual last words were incoherent or nonexistent as he died in a coma after meningitis.
Sources
- firsthand Robert Ross (friend, present at death)
- biography Richard Ellmann's Oscar Wilde biography
- newspaper Contemporary accounts from 1900
Legacy
Wilde's wit and writings continue to influence literature, theatre, and LGBTQ culture more than a century after his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Oscar Wilde’s last words?
“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
How did Oscar Wilde die?
Oscar Wilde died on November 30, 1900 at the age of 46. Cause of death: Meningitis.
Were Oscar Wilde’s last words documented?
The wallpaper quip was likely said weeks before death, not as final words. Ross reported Wilde's actual last words were incoherent or nonexistent as he died in a coma after meningitis.
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