The latest literary treasures were made possible thanks to benefactors Geoffrey and Fay Elliott, whose support will be celebrated today, when a reading room is named after them.
Their association with Leeds began when Mr Elliott used the university's library for research. He was so pleased with the expert help he received from Russian archivist Richard Davies that the couple decided to give their collection of about 200 rare books, manuscripts and letters to the university.
The latest documents include Wilde's lecture notes from his 1882 tour of America, marking his rise to fame, while a rare copy of the journal The Chameleon, was part of his fall.
Wilde was invited to contribute a handful of witticisms to the Oxford undergraduate publication, which also included a poem by his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas.
However, Wilde's link with the journal was later used as evidence in his trial for acts of indecency with the prosecutor asking Wilde about the last line of Douglas's poem, What is 'the love that dares not speak its name?'
Leeds is one of only two UK public libraries to hold a copy of The Chameleon. The city has also bought 12 unpublished poems by Sir John Betjeman, an unseen photograph of the poet with Princess Margaret, an original drawing by Aubrey Beardsley, correspondence between Graham Greene and his literary agent, more than 500 works from the 1890s and many other unique items with the support of the Elliotts.
These include rare works by gay writers, which are not available in any other UK university collection.
The documents boost the university's collection of English literature – which was designated a collection of international significance by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council last autumn.
The items were chosen to complement works in the original Fay and Geoffrey Elliott collection, including major manuscripts by Oscar Wilde and Evelyn Waugh.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur said: "Fay and Geoffrey Elliott are the perfect benefactors – generous and wise, supportive and extremely helpful.
"Their growing collection would be prized in any research library in the world and we are privileged to have it in our care at Leeds. The university's public thanks to Fay and Geoffrey are offered on behalf of everybody in this country who cares about our literary heritage."
University librarian and keeper of the Brotherton Collection, Margaret Coutts, added: "Fay and Geoffrey's generosity in giving the original collection to the university was remarkable in itself, but their financial support to enable the collection to grow and develop has made their gift to the university truly exceptional.
''We are delighted to mark their support through the public naming of our
special collections reading room."
Mr Elliott and his wife are prominent patrons of the arts in New York.
robert.sutcliffe@ypn.co.uk