Wilde Appointed Editor of The Lady's World

In 1887, Oscar Wilde was appointed editor of The Lady's World, a Victorian women's magazine published by Cassell and Co. from 1886-1890. Prior to Wilde's employment, the magazine concentrated in women's fashion trends among high soceity, however, during his time as editor, he began to shift the magazine towards more serious content on parenting, politics, and arts while also incorporating pieces of fiction. Under his influence, the magazine's name was changed from The Lady's World to The Woman's World in an attempt to appeal to more educated women. Under his direction, he claimed the magazine would "take a wider range, as well as a high standpoint, and deal not merely with what women wear, but with what they think, and what they feel" (The Complete Letters, 297). He also used his status as a well-known writer to solicit contributions from distinguished writers and figures such as Elisabeth of Weid (the Queen of Romania), novelist Marie Corelli, Charles Ricketts, and Princess Helena. 

By 1889, Wilde tired of his role as editor and slowly stopped attending meetings or replying to publishers. As a result, he was dropped from the staff, but the magazine was unable to continue without him, and by 1890, the magazine had ended its publication. 

 

Sources:

Wilde, Oscar, The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde. Eds. Holland, Merlin and Rupert Hart-Davis. London: Fourth Estate, 2000.

https://worldhistoryproject.org/1887/oscar-wilde-is-appointed-editor-of-...

http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/wilde/fitzsimons.html

https://wildedecadents.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/oscar-wilde-and-the-woma...

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

1887 to 1889

Parent Chronology: