Bram Stoker Biography

(Irish Author Best Known for His Horror Novel ‘Dracula’)

Birthday: November 8, 1847 (Scorpio)

Born In: Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland

Bram Stoker was an Irish novelist, who created the character Dracula with his Gothic novel of the same name. His science fiction writings reflected this interest in varied subjects. He supported the Liberal Party of Ireland and took keen interest in the Irish affairs. He believed in the Home rule of Ireland brought about by peaceful means. Being an ardent monarchist, he believed that Ireland should remain within the British Empire and that it was good for Ireland’s development. His fictitious character of Dracula, the vampire, has continued to garner fame and inspire many films, theatricals and other literary creations, for more than a century. He was employed as an auditor of the College Historical Society and also as the president of the University Philosophical Society. He had varied interest in the creative genre which led him to found the Sketching Club of Dublin. Anthologists frequently include Stoker's stories in collections of horror fiction. "Dracula's Guest," originally intended as an introductory chapter to Dracula, is one of the best known. He was a fan of the Romantic Movement and was a friend of Oscar Wilde. During his lifetime, he was known as the personal assistant of actor Henry Irving and as the business manager of Lyceum Theatre in London.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Abraham Stoker

Died At Age: 64

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Florence Balcombe (m. 1878–1912)

father: Abraham Stoker (1799–1876)

mother: Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley (1818–1901)

siblings: Sir Thornley Stoker

children: Irving Noel Thornley Stoker

Novelists Irish Men

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

Died on: April 20, 1912

place of death: London, England, United Kingdom

Cause of Death: Strokes

More Facts

education: Trinity College Dublin

  • 1

    What inspired Bram Stoker to write the novel "Dracula?"

    Bram Stoker was inspired by Eastern European folklore, particularly by the historical figure of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula.

  • 2

    Where did Bram Stoker get the idea for the character of Count Dracula?

    Bram Stoker drew inspiration for Count Dracula's character from various sources, including folklore, historical figures, and his own imagination.

  • 3

    Did Bram Stoker believe in vampires?

    Bram Stoker did not believe in vampires in a literal sense; he was more interested in the folklore and mythology surrounding vampires as fictional characters.

  • 4

    What impact did Bram Stoker's "Dracula" had on vampire literature and popular culture?

    Bram Stoker's "Dracula" had a significant impact on vampire literature and popular culture, shaping the modern vampire archetype and inspiring numerous adaptations in various media.

Childhood and Early Life
Bram Stoker was born on November 8, 1847 to Irish Protestant parents, Abraham Stoker and Charlotte Matilda Blake Thornley Stoker at Clontarf, Dublin.
He was a sickly child and bedridden for most of his boyhood. By the time he reached Trinity College he was strong and athletic.
His imagination was fuelled by the stories his mother told him. His interest in Irish folklore, supernatural and the occult went on to become the themes of writings.
He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland with honours in mathematics in 1870. He joined the Irish civil service and served for ten years.
His father was a civil servant at the Dublin castle, which was home to the British Royals in Ireland. This influence helped him to join the civil services.
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Career
As a student, he became interested in theatre, influenced by his friend Dr. Maunsell. He became a popular theatre critic for the Dublin Evening Mail and gave this profession a much needed esteem.
In 1876, his favourable review of Henry Irving's play, ‘Hamlet’ at the Theatre Royal in Dublin, earned him a lifelong friendship.
His first writing was "Sensationalism in Fiction and Society” during his tenure as the president of the University Philosophical Society.
In 1879 he published his first literary work, ‘The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland’. This, later on, was accepted as the handbook in legal administration in Ireland.
He moved to London and worked as Henry Irving’s manager. He performed managerial, secretarial, and even directorial duties at Lyceum Theatre for almost 27 years.
Stoker worked as the literary staff at the The Daily Telegraph from 1897. During this tenure he wrote the horror novels ‘The Lady of the Shroud’ and ‘The Lair of the White Worm’.
Major Works
Stoker published his horror fiction ‘Dracula’ in 1897. It revolved around the meetings of Jonathan Harke with the blood-thirsty Count Dracula. The bloodcurdling tales haunt readers even after a hundred years.
After Irving’s death in 1906, Stoker published his ‘Life of Irving” which proved to be successful, and continued to manage the productions at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
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He had written many short stories which were not published. The collection of his short stories was posthumously published in 1914 by Stoker’s widow, Florence.
The great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker, with encouragement from screenwriter Ian Holt, wrote a sequel to the original novel. In 2009 ‘Dracula-The Un-Dead’ was released. Their inspiration was the handwritten notes of Stoker himself.
Awards & Achievements
He is popular as the least known author of one of the best-known books written. In 2012 November, on his 165th birthday, Stoker was posthumously honoured by Google with a doodle on its homepage.
Personal Life & Legacy
Both Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker wooed Florence Balcombe, a celebrated beauty. Stoker successfully impressed her and married her in 1878. Their only child, a son, was born the following year.
Stoker was known world over as the personal assistant of Irving. The settings of most of his stories were inspired by the places he visited during the travels with Irving.
He stood to gain from the association with Irving, as it opened doors to the high society of London. He got the opportunity to be associated with James Mcneill Whistler and Sir Arthur Doyle.
The first film adaptation of ‘Dracula’ was released as ‘Nosferatu’ in 1922, ten years after his death. The release was mired in royalty dispute between the producers and his widow.
Bram Stoker died on April 20, 1912 due to multiple strokes at St. George’s square. He was cremated and his ashes placed in a display urn at Golders Green Crematorium, which is, even today, a tourist attraction.
Facts About Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker had a keen interest in the supernatural and was a member of the Theosophical Society, a group that explored spiritual and occult beliefs.

Stoker was also a talented athlete and excelled in various sports, including football and long-distance running.

In addition to his writing career, Stoker worked as the personal assistant to actor Sir Henry Irving, a close friend and mentor.

Stoker's famous novel "Dracula" was inspired by his research on Eastern European folklore and his travels to places like Whitby, England, where parts of the novel are set.

Despite the success of "Dracula," Stoker struggled financially throughout his life and had to rely on the support of family and friends to make ends meet.

See the events in life of Bram Stoker in Chronological Order

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