The Trials of Oscar Wilde

In 1891 Oscar Wilde developed a close relationship with British aristocrat Lord Alfred Douglas which ended up turning into a sexual affair, an act that was punishable by law at the time in England. When Douglas' father found out about the love affair, he was so angry he exposed and accused him of being a sodomite. Wilde despite knowing the evidence against him was so upset he took the Marquess to court for defamation of character, but eventually dropped the suit since the evidence of his illegal act was so prevalent. He was then arrested and ordered to stand trial which led to his imprisonment.