The Green Carnation The Green Carnation The Green Carnation, first published anonymously in 1894, was a scandalous novel by Robert Hichens whose lead characters are closely based on Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas – also known as "Bosie", whom the author personally knew. It was an instant "succès de scandale" on both sides of the Atlantic. The reviewer for "The Observer" wrote, ""The Green Carnation" will be read and discussed by everyone... nothing so impudent, so bold, or so delicious has been printed these many years." The book features the characters of "Esmé Amarinth" (Wilde), and "Lord Reginald (Reggie) Hastings" (Douglas). The
Lord Alfred Spencer-Churchill Baron Calthorpe and Lady Charlotte Sophia Somerset, on 5 February 1857. Together they had four children. Lord Alfred Spencer-Churchill Lord Alfred Spencer-Churchill DL (24 April 1824 – 21 September 1893) was a British Conservative politician. Spencer-Churchill was the son of George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Jane Stewart, daughter of George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway. He served as an officer in the Oxfordshire Yeomanry, eventually becoming a lieutenant-colonel. He served as the Member of Parliament for Woodstock between 1845 and 1847, and again from 1857 to 1865. He also served as a Justice of the Peace and