Who is the Author of Happy Prince? Uncovering the Genius Behind the Tale

The Man Behind the Story: Oscar Wilde

Let’s get straight to it — Oscar Wilde is the brilliant mind behind The Happy Prince. Born in Dublin in 1854, Wilde wasn’t just your average writer. Oh no, the man was a flamboyant, razor-sharp wordsmith with a knack for wit and drama (both on and off the page).

Though he’s most famous for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and his biting plays like The Importance of Being Earnest, The Happy Prince and Other Tales (published in 1888) shows a softer, more tender Wilde. A Wilde with a heart, if you will.

And if you’re wondering — yep, the story’s full of symbolism, social critique, and bittersweet beauty. Typical Wilde.

What is The Happy Prince About?

A quick (but not too quick) summary

The Happy Prince tells the story of a golden statue who, after his death, sees the poverty and misery of his city. With the help of a little Swallow, he gives away all his riches to help those in need — until there's nothing left of him.

It’s a children’s story on the surface. But dig a little, and it hits way deeper. We’re talking class division, sacrifice, love, and a quiet slap in the face to the elites who look pretty but do nothing. Oof.

Honestly, it’s got the feels. And it’s not just for kids — grown-ups get wrecked by it too.

Wilde's Life at the Time of Writing

By the late 1880s, Wilde was a rising literary figure in London. He had already made waves as a critic and essayist. But here’s the twist: The Happy Prince wasn’t originally meant to shock or scandalize — it was written for his own sons.

Yes, his kids. Wilde, the rebel and provocateur, telling bedtime stories? Kinda melts your brain.

He poured real emotion into it. You can tell. And maybe — just maybe — he saw himself in that statue: adored once, then slowly stripped away.

Why Does This Story Still Matter?

Timeless themes, bro

Even over a century later, The Happy Prince still punches hard. The selfless prince and the tiny bird doing what they can — together — to fight inequality? That’s evergreen. With everything going on in the world right now, the message feels oddly... current.

And Wilde’s language? It's poetic without being snooty. You feel the sadness. You see the people. That’s hard to fake.

Wilde’s signature style

Wilde didn’t just write to entertain. He wrote to say something. In this case, he critiqued a society obsessed with wealth and appearance while ignoring the suffering in plain sight.

But hey — he wrapped all that in a touching story about a statue and a bird. Sneaky genius.

A Personal Take (Storytime)

So, full disclosure — I first read The Happy Prince in high school, thought it was just another “moral tale.” Meh. Fast-forward a few years, I picked it up again after watching a stage adaptation in a tiny London theatre (with, like, 20 people in the audience). Boom. Hit me like a ton of bricks.

That final scene — when the bird dies at the Prince’s feet? Brutal. It felt like something shifted. It was the first time a “children’s” story made me actually feel grief. Legit.

And now, anytime someone asks if kids’ stories can be deep? I say: “Read The Happy Prince. You’ll see.”

Conclusion: More Than Just a Name

So — who is the author of The Happy Prince? It’s Oscar Wilde, yes. But more than that, it’s a version of Wilde we don’t always talk about. One who felt things deeply. Who saw the cracks in the shiny surface. Who gave us beauty wrapped in sorrow.

And maybe, just maybe, we need that kind of honesty now more than ever.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.