Lord Alfred Douglas

Date of Birth: October 22, 1870

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: March 20, 1945

Biography

Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas, often referred to as “Bosie,” was a British poet and journalist born on October 22, 1870. He is best known for his tumultuous relationship with the famous playwright Oscar Wilde. Douglas was the son of John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, and Sibyl Montgomery. He attended Winchester College and later Magdalen College, Oxford, where he became known for his charm, wit, and good looks. Douglas’s relationship with Wilde began in 1891 and was marked by both intense passion and significant turmoil. Their relationship played a pivotal role in Wilde’s downfall, as it was Douglas’s father who initiated the legal proceedings that led to Wilde’s imprisonment for “gross indecency.” After Wilde’s release, the two attempted to reconcile but eventually went their separate ways. In addition to his poetry, Douglas also worked as a journalist and editor. His works include several volumes of verse, such as “Poems” (1896) and “The City of the Soul” (1899). Later in life, he converted to Roman Catholicism and became an outspoken critic of his past relationship with Wilde, as well as of homosexuality in general. Douglas married Olive Eleanor Custance in 1902, and they had one son, Raymond. His later years were marked by financial difficulties and legal troubles, including a stint in prison for libeling Winston Churchill. He died on March 20, 1945, in Lancing, Sussex.

5 Interesting Facts about Lord Alfred Douglas

1. Douglas’s nickname “Bosie” was coined by his mother and remained a lifelong moniker.

2. He was an accomplished boxer during his time at Oxford University.

3. Douglas converted to Roman Catholicism in 1911.

4. He was imprisoned for six months in 1924 for libeling Winston Churchill.

5. Despite his later criticisms of Wilde, Douglas remained a prolific writer and poet throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lord Alfred Douglas

1. “I am the Love that dare not speak its name.”

2. “The secret of happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible, horrible, horrible.”

3. “When I am dead, I hope it may be said: ‘His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.’”

4. “It is not the broken heart that kills, but broken pride, monseigneur.”

5. “I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Lord Alfred Douglas’s net worth was estimated to be modest, as he faced financial difficulties throughout his life. Exact figures are not well-documented.