John Cooper on Oscar Wilde © 2026

Lecture Tour of America 1882

Writing and Research on Oscar Wilde

Buffalo

New York


Academy of Music

Wednesday, February 8, 1882


The English Renaissance

< Previous Lecture

Next Lecture >

Newspaper report Buffalo Courier, February 9th, 1882. Oscar Wilde lecture

Verification

Newspaper report

Buffalo Courier, February 9th, 1882


Wilde's lecture in Buffalo was a matinee, after which he caught the 6:10 PM train to Niagara (see Wilde In Niagara).


Although Wilde did not stay overnight in Buffalo, he did take a room for the day at the Tifft House.


The report of Wilde's lecture describes how he was not in evening dress for the matinee lecture so, to the disappointment of many, he was not wearing his knee-breeches.


The report also attest to Wilde's growing ability as an orator stating that he was "plainly to be seen that he was speaking largely from memory".


The report contains the full text of Wilde's lecture, and an interview with him in which he confirms that his lecture content had changed considerably by this time, and would be changed further.

Academy of Music Main Street, Buffalo NY. 1852. Oscar Wilde lecture venue

Venue


Academy of Music

Main Street, Buffalo NY


Opened: October 15, 1852 (as the Metropolitan Theatre)

Name changed: for the season of 1868

Destroyed (fire): September 1, 1895


Related: 

A Thespian Temple, 1893

The Tifft House Main Street just north of Lafayette Square. Oscar Wilde visit

Accommodation

The Tifft House *

Main Street just north of Lafayette Square. 


Built: 1863-65

Opened: 1865

Demolished: 1902


* Wilde did not stay overnight in Buffalo—this was Wilde's headquarters for the day.

The Tifft House * Main Street just north of Lafayette Square.


John Cooper on Oscar Wilde © 2026