Bram Stoker

Abraham "Bram" Stoker (November 8, 1847–April 20, 1912) was an Irish writer, best remembered as the author of the influential horror novel Dracula.

Early life

He was born on November 8, 1847 at Clontarf in Ireland, a coastal suburb of Dublin. Until he was 8 years old, recurring illness ensured that he could neither stand up nor walk on his own. This illness and helplessness was a traumatic experience which is noticeable in his literary work. Everlasting sleep and the resurrection from the dead, which are the central themes of his Dracula, were of great importance for him, because he was forced to spend much of his life in bed.

Related Topics:
November 8 - 1847 - Clontarf - Ireland - Dublin - Resurrection

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Not only his illness but also his convalescence were considered miracles by his doctors. After his recovery, he became a normal young man who even became an athlete and soccer-star at the University of Dublin, where he studied history, literature, mathematics and physics at Trinity College. He was also president of the University Philosophical Society, where his first paper was on "Sensationalism in Fiction and Society", and auditor of the College Historical Society. He became a civil servant, a career that didn't satisfy him. So he started to work as a journalist and as a drama critic (The Evening Mail). His interest in theatre lead to a lifelong friendship with the actor Henry Irving.

Related Topics:
Athlete - Trinity College - University Philosophical Society - College Historical Society - Journalist - Critic - Henry Irving

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Stoker married Oscar Wilde's former girlfriend Florence Balcombe in 1878 (reportedly causing Wilde to leave Ireland) and moved with her to London where he became business manager of Irving's Lyceum Theatre, a post he held for 27 years. The collaboration with Irving was very important for Stoker. Through him he became involved in London's high society, where he met James McNeil Whistler and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the course of Irving's tours he got the chance to travel around the world.

Related Topics:
Oscar Wilde - 1878 - London - Lyceum Theatre - James McNeil Whistler - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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