Manuscripts
Department of Special Collections
Washington University Libraries
Washington University in St. Louis

Finding-Aid for the Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas Collection (WTU00183)

Finding aid prepared by:
Special Collections Staff

Summary Information

Title: Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas. Collection,
Creator: Douglas, Lord Alfred Bruce, 1870-1945
Inclusive dates: 1932-1933.
Extent: 3 items
Call number: WTU00183
Language: English
Repository: Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO 63130

Access and Use:

Source of Collection:

Access Restrictions:

Open.

Use Restriction:

None

Users of the collections must read and abide by the Rules for the use of manuscript collection materials.

Users of the collections who wish to use items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication (as defined in the form) must sign and submit to the Washington University Department of Special Collections a hard copy of the Notification of intent publish manuscript collection materials form.

All publication not covered by fair use restricted to those who have permission of the copyright holder.

Biography

Born in Lancing, Sussex, Britain, his father was John Sholto Douglas, the 8th. Marquis of Queensberry (1844-1900). Alfred Douglas was brought up at Kinmount, the family home in Dumfriesshire, but by his late teens his parents were divorced and the home sold.

He began writing poetry while an undergraduate at Oxford, and his first serious poem was "Autumn Days" which was published in The Oxford Magazine in 1890. Known to his friends as "Bosie," he is best remembered for his relationship with Oscar Wilde, who said of him that he "understands me and my art, and loves both. I hope never to be separated from him." Wilde’s praise notwithstanding, Bosie is often considered one of the premiere scoundrels in all of English literature, and had a decisive influence upon Wilde’s ill-fated attempt to litigate against the Marquis of Queensberry.

Collection Scope and Content Note

Scope and Contents Note

The three letters are to unnamed recipients. In them Douglas outlines publishing information about his major works, including Oscar Wilde and Myself . One of the letters, dated June 10, 1933, accompanied a copy of his book, the True History of Shakespeare’s Sonnets .

Subject Terms

• Douglas, Lord Alfred Bruce, 1870-1945