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Lady Jane Wilde (Speranza) 1826-1896 

Born in Dublin. She wrote patriotic poetry and verse under the name of ‘Speranza’ for the Nation. She married William Wilde in 1851 and was the mother of Oscar. She hosted very successful salons in Dublin and later, after the death of her husband, in London. Under her own name she completed the work of her husband in books on folklore and she herself wrote on other subjects. Her works include Men, Women and Books, Ancient Legends of Ireland, mystic Charms and superstitions of Ireland and Ancient Cures, Charms and Usages of Ireland.

            She was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London. No headstone was erected and no fees were paid so that after seven years, her body was moved to an unmarked grave in the poor ground.

            The grave remained unmarked until 2000. Andrew McDonnell of the Oscar Wilde Literary Trust was able to establish that the Kensal Green Cemetery Company knew the exact sites of the graves of both Lady Wilde and her son William. McDonnell, along with Merlin Holland and an anonymous donor, designed the Celtic cross in Kilkenny Blue limestone. The Trust organised the unveiling on October 13th 2000 by Vanessa Redgrave.

                     William Robert Kingsbury Wills Wilde 1852-1899 was buried in a common grave with at least twenty other people in Kensal Green Cemetery, London. This area is now covered by the crematorium.

            Willie’s wife and their daughter, Dolly Wilde, are also buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London.