In 1878, his last year at the University of Oxford, Wilde received the Newdigate Prize for Poetry for his sixteen page poem "Ravenna," about a young man's journey to the titular Italian city. The poem was first printed in June of the same year. The Newdigate Prize, awarded to Oxford students for the Best Composition in English verse, was established in 1806 in memorial of English politician Sir Roger Newdigate. When accepting the prize, Wilde recited the poem in public. The prestige of the award helped Wilde gain notoriety outside of the university.

Source:

https://worldhistoryproject.org/1878/oscar-wilde-is-awarded-the-newdigat...