author
John Gray
1866–1934
A poet of the English decadence movement who later became a Catholic priest, he led a life far more surprising than his reputation suggests. His work blends fin-de-siècle elegance with spiritual seriousness, and his name is still often linked to Oscar Wilde’s circle.
1 Audiobook
Silverpoints
by John Gray
About the author
Born in London in 1866, John Gray first became known as a poet associated with the aesthetic and decadent world of the 1890s. His best-known books include Silverpoints, The Long Road, and Park: A Fantastic Story, and he moved in literary circles that included Oscar Wilde.
Gray’s life took a striking turn when he entered the Roman Catholic Church and was eventually ordained as a priest. He later served in Edinburgh, where he became an important figure in Catholic literary and parish life.
He died in 1934, but his story continues to interest readers because it joins poetry, religion, and literary history in one unusual career. He is also often remembered because people have long speculated about whether he helped inspire Wilde’s famous character Dorian Gray, though that claim remains debated.