Portrait of Mr Carson, Q.C., M.P. (1854-1935), full-length

The trial of Oscar Wilde, which opened on 3 April 1895 at The Old Bailey, was a pivotal moment in the history of British legal and social culture. Wilde, the renowned playwright and wit, was accused of "gross indecency" with young men, a charge under the Labouchere Amendment that criminalized homosexual acts. The trial began when Wilde sued the Marquess of Queensberry for libel, after Queensberry publicly accused him of being homosexual. However, the trial took a dramatic turn when evidence of Wilde's relationships with young men was introduced, leading to his own arrest and subsequent conviction.

One of the key figures in the trial was Edward Carson, a prominent barrister and Conservative politician, who acted as the prosecutor. Carson was a fierce advocate for the prosecution and played a crucial role in securing Wilde’s conviction. Known for his combative style, Carson’s cross-examination of Wilde was relentless, revealing personal details about Wilde's private life. His skillful questioning, combined with Wilde’s inability to defend himself effectively, contributed to the playwright’s downfall.

The trial resulted in Wilde’s conviction, and he was sentenced to two years of hard labor. Carson’s role in the trial cemented his reputation as one of the leading legal figures of his time, though Wilde’s life and work would continue to resonate long after the trial. The case highlighted the harsh treatment of homosexuality in Victorian Britain and marked a turning point in Wilde’s life, as well as the public discussion of sexual morality in the era.