Abraham Stoker, or known as Bram Stoker, was born on November 8, 1847 in Dublin, in Ireland to his father Abraham Stoker Sir, and Charlotte Matilda Blake Thornley Stoker. Stoker was one of seven children, born during the height of the Irish Potato Famine. Bram also suffered from a range of illnesses that left him bedridden until the age of seven. (“Bram Stoker - Dracula, Books & Quotes”)

From 1864-1870, Stoker attended Trinity College and earned a degree in mathematics. Stoker would then go on to work as a civil servant at Dublin Castle. This was when Stoker would work in his free time as an unpaid writer for the Dublin Evening Mail, a local newspaper. (Academic) Much of his early work for the paper was writing reviews for theatrical productions. This was also the time Stoker wrote his short stories, and published in 1872, "The Crystal Cup." (Academic) (“Bram Stoker - Dracula, Books & Quotes”)

Stoker worked his civil service job for nearly 10 years, before meeting and building a relationship with Sir Henry Irving, whom Stoker met after reviewing a production of Hamlet, featuring Irving. (Academic) Stoker would go on to become Irving's manager, accompany him on his American tours as well as writing his correspondence. (“Bram Stoker - Dracula, Books & Quotes”) Stoker would remain Irving's manager and friend for over 27 years until his death in 1878. (Academic)

Stoker would publish his first novel, The Primrose Path in 1875. He published Under the Sunset, a collection of short stories 1882, and his second novel followed in 1890, The Snake's Path. (Academic) Stoker wrote several other novels: The Mystery of the Sea (1902), The Jewel of Seven Stars (1903), and The Lady of the Shroud. (1909) (Academic)

Now, Stoker published his magnum opus, Dracula in 1897. The book itself did garner critical success after its release. However, it did not achieve its known popularity until long after Stoker's death. (Academic) What makes Dracula so memorable, is how it is written. Dracula is made of diary and journal entries written by the main characters. The novel influenced vampire representation in Western pop culture throughout the 19th and 20th century. Dracula has been adapted for film, television, stage, and further book adaptations. (Academic)

Sadly, after the death of Irving and the publishing of Dracula, Stoker spent his remaining years dealing with ill health and financial issues. (“Bram Stoker - Dracula, Books & Quotes”) Stoker died in London, on April 20th,1912. His death has often been disputed by historians. Various reports cited his cause of death as complications from exhaustion, complications of a stroke, or even syphilis. (Academic)

Sources/Further readings:

• “Bram Stoker - Dracula, Books & Quotes.” Biography, 5 Aug. 2020, www.biography.com/authors-writers/bram-stoker.
• Academic, Britannica. “Shibboleth Authentication Request.” er.lib.k-State.edu, 2023, academic-eb-com.er.lib.k-state.edu/levels/collegiate/article/Bram-Stoker/69775. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.
• Stoker, Dacre, and J.D. Barker. “The Real History That Went into Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” Time, Time, 25 Feb. 2019, time.com/5411826/bram-stoker-dracula-history/.
• Carroll, Claire. “Biography of Bram Stoker, Irish Author.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 31 Mar. 2020, thoughtco.com/biography-of-bram-stoker-irish-author-4800321.