The careers of Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde followed very similar paths up until 1895. Both were born of Protestant stock in Dublin around the mid-fifties, and launched themselves as writers after settling in London during the seventies. For about five years both wrote apprentice work - trying out genres, seeking a style. At the same time, both were developing considerable skill as public speakers with a theatrical flair. From 1885 to 1888 they worked together, along with William Archer and George Moore, as anonymous book reviewers on the Pall Mall Gazette. Both were drawn to socialism, and probably it was an address of Shaw's at a Fabian meeting that inspired Wilde's “The Soul of Man Under Socialism.” At the turn of the decade each wrote and published an important, defining volume of criticism: The Quintessence of lbsenism and Intentions (the latter including “The Decay of Lying,” “The Critic as Artist,” and the essay on socialism). And during the next few years, until that fateful February of 1895, each wrote five accomplished and still produced plays: by Wilde, Salomé, Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest; by Shaw, Widowers' Houses, The Philanderer, Mrs, Warren's Profession, Arms and the Man, and Candida.