The plot of An Ideal Husband was largely influenced by events in Paris in 1893. Yet, Wilde keeps his work original by creating constant ironic plot twists and turns. The play borrows from the style of Alexandre Dumas, where a theatrical device, in this case a letter, determines the outcome. In 1897, he wrote a letter describing the process of writing An Ideal Husband, which was later published under the title De Profundis.

Wilde was a leader in the effort to make plays accessible to the reading public. Prominent additions included written stage directions and character descriptions. This published version differs slightly from the performed play, for Wilde added many passages and cut others. The play was published in 1899, although Wilde was not listed as the author. On April 6, soon after Wilde's arrest, the play moved to the Criterion Theatre where it ran from April 13-27. In April of that year, Wilde was arrested for 'gross indecency' and his name was publicly taken off the play. After opening on January 3, 1895, it continued for 124 performances. The play gave the Haymarket the success it desperately needed. Waller was an excellent actor and cast himself as Sir Robert Chiltern. He initially sent the completed play to the Garrick theater, where the manager rejected it, but it was soon accepted the Haymarket Theatre, where Lewis Waller had temporarily taken control. His work began at Goring-on-Thames, after which he named the character Lord Goring, and concluded at St. At this point in his career he was accustomed to success, and in writing An Ideal Husband he wanted to ensure himself public fame.

In the summer of 1893, Oscar Wilde began writing An Ideal Husband, and he completed it later that winter.

Oscar wilde play an ideal husband