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Who is Bram Stoker?
The somewhat forgotten man of Irish Literature, Bram (Abraham) Stoker was born in Clontarf in  November 1847. He endured a sickly childhood and didn't walk until he was seven years of age. However his recovery was full and he went on to win sporting medals while studying for a degree in Trinity College. He then followed his father's footsteps into the old Imperial Civil Service at Dublin Castle.
Bram was an unhappy Civil Servant as his abounding interest in drama was his first love. Attending shows at Dublin's Gaiety, Queens and Theatre Royal he wrote a regular drama review column for the Dublin Daily Mail newspaper in the 1870's. The work greatly contributed to nurturing the dramatic scene in Dublin and helped pave the way for the founding of the National Theatre later.
In December, 1878 Stoker married Florence Balcombe – who had been courted by Oscar Wilde – and moved to England where he took up a position as secretary to his great acting idol, Henry Irving, and acting manager of Irving's Lyceum Theatre. Stoker remained with Irving until the actor's death in 1905 and under his direction Henry became the first actor to be knighted. He had a busy but interesting life in the world of the Lyceum Theatre, and it's famous beefstake restaurant. He  became acquainted with many famous people in Britain such as William Gladstone and the young Winston Churchill. On eight working tours of America with the Lyceum Players he came to love America and again, met and mixed with the famous like Walt Whitman, Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt.
Bram died in Pimlico, London in April 1912 at the age of 65 and was cremated at Golder's Green Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Florence and their only child Noel, (born 1879).
In his native Clontarf, in front of 15 the Crescent, where he was born, Stoker is commemorated by The Bram Stoker Park, Information Board and Tree. Since 1991 the annual Bram Stoker International Summer School has been held in his memory.
Stoker's First book “the Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in  Ireland” was first published in 1879 – and is still a standard text!
He went on to write some 18 books in all and a collection of shorter works of fiction and non-fiction. The book which made him famous, the gothic horror masterpiece “Dracula” was first published in 1897.
The Stoker Dracula Organisation had the honour and privilege of having Bram Stoker's grand nephew [from Quebec, Canada] as a guest at the Summer School of 2000. Patrick's grandfather was Bram's brother George Stoker. Patrick left us a representation of the Stoker family coat of arms which features three popinjays. The Stoker motto is “What is truthful is decent.”
For a good overall introduction to Bram Stoker and the “Dracula” theme/story we recommend that you read “Dracula Celebrating 100 years” see Souvenir section. |
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