Portrait sketch of Lord Alfred Douglas (1870-1945), in profile (recto) and a subsidiary sketch (verso)

Lord Alfred Douglas, a poet and biographer, was first introduced to Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) in June 1891. He became infatuated with Wilde's attention and literary prominence, and would go on to enter a mutually disastrous relationship with the Irishman. Douglas's father, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry (1844-1900) disapproved of their relationship, and so set about ruining the reputation of Wilde. This would lead to Wilde suing Queensberry for libel - an action that was encouraged by Douglas, and the start of the Oscar Wilde trial, followed by his eventual imprisonment in 1895.