Abraham “Bram” Stoker (1847-1912) was an Irish author best known for his 1897 Gothic horror novel “Dracula.” The character of Count Dracula, a vampire, has become iconic in literature and pop culture, inspiring countless adaptations in film, television, books, and more.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Stoker was a sickly child, often bedridden. However, he made a full recovery in his teenage years and went on to excel as an athlete at Trinity College, Dublin, where he also distinguished himself as a student. After college, he worked as a civil servant at Dublin Castle, wrote theater reviews for The Dublin Mail, and published his first book, a non-fiction legal guide.
Stoker’s work as a theater critic led to a friendship with the celebrated actor Sir Henry Irving, and he was eventually hired as Irving’s personal assistant and the business manager for Irving’s Lyceum Theatre in London. Stoker held this position for nearly 30 years, during which he met many of the day’s leading figures in literature and the arts.
Stoker began writing novels while working for Irving, publishing his first, “The Primrose Path,” in 1875. He would go on to write a total of 12 novels, the most successful of which was “Dracula.” Despite the character’s enduring legacy, Stoker did not become particularly wealthy from the book during his lifetime. He died in London in 1912.