Sam Blacketer

On 19 September 2005, IP user 24.0.228.161 added to List of Latin phrases, in relation to the term ecce homo: "Oscar Wilde thus opened his defense on trial for sodomy, characteristically using a well known Biblical reference as a double entendre." After some re-editing the claim was still there until 26 November 2010.

Nice try. The three trials (Wilde's libel prosecution of Marquess of Queensberry, an aborted first trial for gross indecency, and the second trial in which he was convicted) were recorded in shorthand at the time and the shorthand record was then written up and published for the Notable British Trials series in June 1948. A fuller record of the libel trial was discovered much later and published as 'The Irish Peacock and the Scarlet Marquess' in 2003. This statement appears nowhere in any of the trials. Nor does any book about the trial or about Oscar Wilde mention it.

It must be remembered, first, that Oscar Wilde was represented by counsel at his trial, not appearing in person, so he made no speech; he went into the witness box to be examined and cross-examined, but that was to answer questions. It must also be remembered that the term 'homosexual' was in 1895 a relatively new one: it had been coined in 1869 but was confined to academic books (mostly in German) until the 20th century. The libel which Wilde took action over described him as a 'somdomite' (Queensberry misspelling 'sodomite' due to his anger), and that was the usual term.

This was, in short, really a piece of vandalism (possibly from an Uncyclopedia user?) which amazingly managed to last five years before detection.

Please note that I am not "reserving" these articles for me to create; feel free to write them yourself. It is just a way of focusing my attention and reminding me of what needs to be done.

1964 1966 1970 Feb 1974 Oct 1974 1979 1983 1987 1992 1997 2001 2005

• Crown Agents
• History of Parliament / History of Parliament Trust
• Lawless v Ireland, the first case heard by the European Court of Human Rights
• Sir Frank Newsam substantially completed
• Montagu Norman, 1st Baron Norman
• Notable British Trials series
• John Poulson
• Evelyn Sharp, Baroness Sharp
• Jim Slater
• Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden
• Women in the British House of Commons - was an astonishing omission

The twenty former MPs whose service dates back the furthest are:

Note that ties are broken by an examination of which MP took the oath of allegiance first. Thanks to Timrollpickering for this suggestion.

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		I, Chrislk02, award you this barnstar for calming down with the recomended cup of tea when I got a little heated at WP:RFCN. It was very much appreciated. -- Chrislk02 (Chris Kreider) 20:37, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

[1]

		The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
		In recognition of your excellent anti-vandalism efforts, I award you this anti-vandal barnstar. Happy editing and keep up the great work! Lradrama 19:40, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

[2]

		The 25 DYK Medal
		Awarded to Sam Blacketer (rather belatedly) for his exceptional contributions to Did You Know? Thanks to your efforts, dozens of MPs not only have articles, but quite good ones, and its efforts like yours that help Wikipedia excel above and beyond. Keep up the good work! --JayHenry 23:55, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

[3]

		The RickK Anti-Vandalism Barnstar
		Thanks a lot for dealing with that IP on The Wave (board). It was almost blocked instantly after my AIV report. STORMTRACKER 94 22:03, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

[4]

		The Working Man's Barnstar
		I present this barnstar to you for working to successfully close Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/C68-FM-SV. NE2 06:41, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

[5]