Wissenswertes

His death was overshadowed by the sinking of the Titanic which occurred the same week.

Contrary to popular belief, Stoker did not base his most famous character, Count Dracula, on Prince Vlad II of Romania (at the time called Wallachia). Most of his novel was completed and his vampire protagonist was to be named Count Wampyr. Then, during his research, he came across William Wilkinson's book "An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia". In this book were brief passages about "Voivode Dracula" (never referred to as Vlad), who crossed the Danube to fight the Turks and helped to drive them out of Wallachia, but was betrayed to them by his brother. What intrigued Stoker was a footnote that in Romanian, Dracula meant Devil (although it actually means "of the dragon", in reference to Vlad's father's membership in the Order of the Dragon). Liking the name for that reason, Stoker changed the name of his vampire from Wampyr to Dracula. Another story is that the Dracula character is actually based on actor Henry Irving, for whom Stoker served as Personal Manager and with whom he did not get along. This story is given some credence by the fact that the Dracula character in the play, which Stoker did not write, is quite different from the Dracula character in the book, which Stoker did write, and most film versions of the story are based on the play, not the book.

His character Count Dracula is considered the most famous vampire in all of fiction one of the most famous literary characters of all time.

His creation Count Dracula has been played more times in film and television appearances than any other horror character.

The character of Prof. Abraham Van Helsing is modeled after Stoker.

Was invited to the White House twice and got to meet Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

Wrote eight novels in 20 years.

Did not start writing until he was in his late 20s and did not begin writing novels until age 43.

While part of Dracula is famously set in Transylvania, Stoker never actually went there, learning about it by researching Transylvanian history and culture at the British Museum.

Was a friend and distant relation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Childhood illness meant he was unable to walk until he was seven years old. An explanation for the illness was never found.

His novel "Dracula" was an early inspiration for author Stephen King. King's first novel, "Carrie", while it tells a completely different story, uses much of the same style. "Dracula" was an epistolary novel, which means that rather than relying solely on an omniscient narrator, much of the story is related from first-hand accounts, such as journal entries, newspaper articles and, in one case, a recording made on wax cylinders. Much of the story in "Carrie" is related the same way. King's second novel was "Salem's Lot", which parallels "Dracula" quite closely. "Dracula" begins with the Count looking into buying a house in London, while the vampire Barlow buys a house in the town of Salem's Lot. Included in those who hunt down Dracula are John Seward, a doctor, and his medical school professor, Abraham Van Helsing, who is an expert on vampires. "Salem's Lot" features a doctor, Jimmy Cody, and his former schoolteacher, Matt Burke, who becomes an expert on vampires and is compared to Van Helsing by other characters. The heroes hunt down Dracula to avenge Lucy Westenra, who has been turned into a vampire, and Mina Harker, who will suffer the same fate if Dracula is not killed. In "Salem's Lot" they do so to avenge Susan Norton, who has been turned into a vampire.

His only child, Noel Thornley Stoker, was born in 1879. Both Stoker and Oscar Wilde competed for the affections of the lovely Florence Balcombe, who eventually married Stoker. Over 100 years later two of Stoker's and Wilde's most famous characters, Mina Harker and Dorian Gray, would appear in the same film, Die Liga der außergewöhnlichen Gentlemen (2003).

A fan of poet Walt Whitman, with whom he corresponded.

His father was Abraham Stoker, a civil servant at Dublin Castle, and his mother was Charlotte Stoker (nee Thornley), a lieutenant's daughter from Sligo.

At one point Hammer movies planned a biopic of Stoker, with a script by Don Houghton and featuring Christopher Lee as Henry Irving.

During his lifetime he was known mostly for being the Business Manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London and the Personal assistant to actor Henry Irving, the manager of the Lyceum. When Stoker died, not a single obituary of his mentioned "Dracula".

Began writing and researching his "Dracula" novel in 1890.

Stoker is buried at Golders Green Crematorium, Greater London (UK) (plot: East Columbarium).

Was greatly admired by American writer, H.P Lovecraft.

Whilst seeking inspiration for his upcoming "Dracula" novel, Bram Stoker spent a week by himself in the coastal town of Whitby. He talked with the local residents and carried out general research in the area.

Has a literary award named after him.

During Bram Stoker's lifetime, there was only one performance of "Dracula" in the theatre. Resembling more of a lengthy reading of the book, actor Henry Irving shouted "dreadful" at the end.

Mistakenly regarded as a sequel, the short story "Dracula's Guest" was actually a portion of Stoker's novel that he omitted from the final manuscript.

Aside from "Dracula," Stoker's other well known novel is "The Jewel of Seven Stars.".

About the year 1971, there were plans to make a film on the tumultuous working relationship of Bram Stoker and Henry Irving. Peter Cushing was set to play Stoker and Christopher Lee as Irving. The project was eventually canceled.

Worked as a Petty Sessions clerk in the civil service at Dublin Castle.

Worked for the Dublin Evening Mail as a theatre critic.

His brother Tom had a grandson Daniel Farson who became Bram's biographer.

The One-Armed Bandit version of "Dracula" has Igor included on it by mistake. Igor is in the film versions of Frankenstein, not Dracula.

Was widely known to have been a very private man. Biographers have faced a difficult task in chronicling Bram Stoker's life and career.

He was the third of seven children. His siblings were William, Matilda, Thomas, Richard, Margaret and George.

Great-great-grandfather of actress Alberta Mayne.

Friends with Ellen Terry, the leading lady of the Lyceum Theatre. She joined the Lyceum the same day Stoker did.

Great-grand-uncle of Dacre Stoker.

Great grandfather of Noel Dobbs.