chambers_search-1

Search Chambers

Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

Wilde, Lady Jane Francesca, known as Speranza, née Elgee 1826-96
Irish poet and hostess

Born in Dublin, she was an ardent nationalist, and contributed poetry and prose to the Nation from 1845 under the pen name 'Speranza'. In 1851 she married Sir William Wilde; their son was Oscar Wilde. Her salon was the most famous in Dublin. After her husband's death she moved to London, and published several works on folklore, including Ancient Legends of Ireland (1887) and Ancient Cures (1891).