The Times - Friday, August 23, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
BANK OF ENGLAND.
THE AFFAIRS OF OSCAR WILDE.–––Under a receiving order made on July 25 last against Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde, the petitioning creditor being the Marquis of Queensberry, accounts have been furnished showing the liabilities to be £3,591, and there do not appear to be any available assets. The debtor is described as ltely of 10, Tite-street, Chelsea, S.W., and now of her Majesty’s prison, Wandsworth, and he states that he is a writer and dramatist, and that his income, which he estimates at £2,000 a year, has been chiefly, if not entirely, derived from royalties received on plays and literary works written by him. He attributes his insolvency to the failure of the legal proceedings instituted by him against the Marquis of Queensberry, and to his arrest and conviction in the recent trial of "Regina v. Wilde." The Official Receiver (Mr. A.H. Wildly), in his observations upon the cae, says it would appear, however, from the figures furnished in the deficiency account, that the debtor has been insolvent for at least two years, and that his household and personal expenditure have been considerably in excess of his income. Of the unsecured indebtedness, sums amounting to £2,514 appear to be for money lent ; £677 for law costs; £233 for tobacco, wine, jewelry, flowers, &., and £166 for household expenses. The creditors treated as partly secured (914) are stated to hold a policy on the life of the debtor, and charges on the dramatic rights, &., in certain plays. The household furniture and effects of the debtor appear to have been sold by the sheriff during April last. He states that he has a life interest in certain funds under an ante-nuptial settlement in the event of his surviving his wife. The Official Receiver concludes by stating that he will be glad to receive any information from creditors respecting the debtor and his affairs.
The summary of accounts and observations were issued under the failure of Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, described as late of 16, Tite-street, Chelsea, and now of her Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, author. The liabilities expected to rank are returned at £3,591 9s. 9d., and no available assets are shown. The debtor states that he is a writer and dramatist, and that his income, which he estimates at £2,000 a year, has been derived chiefly, if not entirely, from royalties received on plays and literary works written by him. He attributes his insolvency to the failure of legal proceedings taken by him against the petitioning creditor, the Marquis of Queensberry, and to his arrest and conviction in the recent trial of "Regina v. Wilde." —The Official Receiver, Mr. A. H. Wildy, observes, however, that, from the figures furnished in the deficiency account, it would appear that the debtor has been insolvent for at least two years, and that his household and personal expenditure has been considerably in excess of his income. Of the unsecured indebtedness, sums amounting to £2,514 s. appear to be for money lent, £677 3s. 8d. for law costs, £233 19s. 11d. for tobacco, wine, jewellery, flowers,&c., and £166 1s. 2d. for household, &c., expenses. The creditors treated as partly secured (£914 19s. 7d.) are stated to hold a policy on the life of the debtor, and charges on the dramatic rights, &c., in certain plays. The household furniture and effects of the debtor appear to have been sold by the Sheriff during April, 1895. The debtor states that he has a life interest in certain funds under an ante-nuptial settlement in the event of his surviving his wife.