Oscar Wilde was in his senior year at Magdalen College, Oxford when he first corresponded with essayist and critic, Walter Pater (1839-1894). Wilde, aware of Pater's great influence, sent him a copy of his first published article as a means to introduce himself. In his introduction, Wilde also expressed his admiration for The Renaissance. Pater had received harsh criticism for this collection of essays, mainly for his concise yet controversial Conclusion to The Renaissance. In his Conclusion, Pater implores readers to seek out and find those experiences which move them, claiming “To maintain this ecstasy is success in life.” These views challenged the typical Victorian mindset of reserved formality and repressed pleasure. Upon recieving such flattery, he invited Wilde to meet once he returned to Oxford. They met often for walks and tea, and continued in a similar fashion after Wilde left Oxford. They never were close friends, and it was generally known that each criticized the other behind closed doors. It has been noted in Wilde's biography that  "Pater disliked Wilde personally while admiring his cleverness," and that Wilde held the opinion that "Dear Pater was always frightened of my propaganda" (81).

https://victorianweb.org/authors/pater/hext2.html

Ellmann, Richard. Oscar Wilde. London: Penguin, 1987

https://studio.covecollective.org/anthologies/columbia-college-chicago-o...

https://wiki.uiowa.edu/display/vicwik/Walter+Pater%27s+The+Renaissance