|
Abraham Stoker (his family called him Bram), was an Irish novelist and writer. Stoker was born on November 8, 1847. Stoker died on April 20, 1912. Bram Stoker came from a grand Protestant family. Stoker was born third in a seven child family. Bram was born with infirmity. Stoker was bedridden, due to unidentified causes, until he was seven years old. He then made a full recovery. Stoker grew up without additional sickness and he was an athlete at Dublin's Trinity college. Stoker graduated with honors in 1870 and he earned a degree in mathematics. Despite Bram's scientific studies, Stoker enjoyed fiction. Stoker's early years of infirmity resulted in countless hours of contemplation and fantasizing. As a young man Stoker was interested in the theater. After marrying Florence Balcombe, Bram and his new wife moved to London. Stoker then became the acting and business manager of the Lyceum Theater. Bram and Florence only had one child, Noel Thornley Stoker. Stoker worked for the Lyceum Theater for over 27 years. Bram's income was not sufficient to support his family. So Stoker began writing so he could supplement his income. Stoker spent numerous years researching gothic folklore throughout Europe. Stoker had a fascination with myths of vampires. Stoker went to gothic destinations such as the crypts of St. Michan's Church in Dublin and Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire. These and other travels only further incited Stoker's curiosity with the morbid. Stoker would go on to pen numerous fantasy, gothic, and horror works including The Jewel of Seven Stars (1903), The Lady of the Shroud (1909), and The Lair of the White Worm (1911). But none would obtain the popularity of Bram's 1897 book, Dracula. But Stoker made a huge error after releasing Dracula. Stoker didn't follow copyright law and as a result, Dracula was in the public domain in the United States from its initial publication. Dracula was for the most part unacknowledged during it's time. The story would not see mainstream-success for several decades. In 1922 F.W. Murnau filmed an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula titled Nosferatu. After the release of the film, the popularity of Bram's story Dracula increased significantly. Bram's widow tried to have the movie barred, but since Dracula was in the public domain her challenges to the film failed. Bram Stoker passed away on April 20, 1912 in his home. It is speculated that the reason for Bram's passing away was due to tertiary syphilis. Stoker suffered numerous strokes before passing away. Stoker was cremated and his remains put in an urn now on display at Golders Green Crematorium. Visitors who desire to visit the urn must be escorted to the room the urn is at, because of fears of vandalism. Two years after Bram's death, in 1914, his wife published the novella Dracula's Guest. It is widely speculated that this work was the original first chapter of Stoker's Dracula. Gen Wright is a contributor to the online community Vampire Rave, a social network for real vampires. He also contributes to Power Punks, a community for superhero fans.
Related Articles -
Vampire Rave, Power Punks,
| 
