Posted by John Wilson on December 02, 2000 at 03:02:27 from 203.96.26.98:
In Reply to: Oscar Wilde; was Re: Our man Arthur posted by Peter Roche on November 26, 2000 at 22:14:23:
Yes, Merlin was a grandson of Oscar Wilde. Oscar & Constance had two sons, Cyril (KIA in WWI) and Vyvyan. She took the family surname Holland after his trial. Vyvyan had one child Merlin who was married and living in London (bio. of Oscar Wilde by Richard Ellman, page 553)
While Oscar’s death is now ascribed to meningitis or an ear infection (from a fall in prison), Arthur Ransome apparently got the cause as syphilis from Oscar’s friend Ross (more of a friend than Douglas!).