Oscar Wilde was an influential poet who lived in the late 1800’s.

After publishing works such as “The Importance of Being Earnest,” he was arrested for indecency with other men and sentenced to two years hard labor.

During this time, he wrote “De Profundis,” a letter to his then lover which would be known today as a “Dear John” letter.

However, for its haunting words and lyricism, this is one of the most famous works that was written in prison.

De Profundis means “from the depths”. During its first half Wilde recounts their previous relationship and extravagant lifestyle which eventually led to Wilde’s conviction and imprisonment for gross indecency.

He indicts both Lord Alfred’s vanity and his own weakness in acceding to those wishes.

In the second half, Wilde charts his spiritual development in prison and identification with Jesus Christ-whom he characterizes as a romantic, individualist artist.

Wilde wrote the letter between January and March 1897; close to the end of his imprisonment.

Contact had lapsed between Douglas and Wilde and the latter had suffered from his physical labor and emotional isolation.

Wilde’s work was closely supervised and he was not allowed to send the letter, but took it with him upon release.

Ross published the letter in 1905, five years after Wilde’s death, giving it the title “De Profundis”

It was an incomplete version, excised of its autobiographical elements; various editions gave more text until 1962 when the complete and correct version appeared in a volume of Wilde’s letters.