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Lecture

Yanky Fachler
Reading Gaol and Devil’s Island

Thursday 22.05.2025

Summary

While the disgraced man of letters, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), was languishing in Reading Gaol, the French Jewish Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935), the disgraced former artillery captain, was languishing in solitary confinement on Devil’s Island. Although the two never met, their lives unexpectedly collided when Wilde provided the Dreyfus camp with proof that Dreyfus had been framed and was not a German spy.

Yanky Fachler

an image of Yanky Fachler

Broadcaster, writer, ghostwriter and blogger Yanky Fachler was born in the UK, lived for many years in Israel, and currently lives in Ireland. Since 7 October 2023, he has posted over 2,800 pieces as part of “Yanky’s Morale Boosting Doodles” (email yankyfachler@gmail.com to subscribe.) During COVID, Yanky delivered 250 Zoom talks, and he is now a regular speaker on Lockdown University. His books include Igniting the Chutzpah spark embedded in your DNA; Fire in the Belly; 6 Officers, 2 Lions and 750 Mules; God’s Little Errand Boys; and Jewish Letchworth: A Microcosm of the Jewish Communal Experience.