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Bram Stoker: The Man Who Gave the World Dracula

Bram Stoker: The Man Who Gave the World Dracula

22 October 2025

Paul Francis

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Bram Stoker did not live to see how famous his creation would become. When he published Dracula in 1897, it arrived into a rapidly changing world, but the novel was not considered a sensation. It sold steadily, quietly, and respectfully. Only after his death did it begin its ascent from Gothic curiosity to cultural phenomenon.


Bram Stoker in a dark suit poses against a shadowy background. Warm lighting highlights his serious expression, creating a vintage mood.

Today, Count Dracula is one of the most recognisable fictional characters in history, influencing everything from cinema and theatre to fashion, language and popular fears. Yet the man behind it, an Irish theatre manager who wrote at night, remains a far more mysterious figure.


Early Life: A Childhood in Stillness

Abraham “Bram” Stoker was born on 8 November 1847 in Dublin, into a middle-class Protestant family. As a child he suffered from a mysterious illness that left him bedridden for years. This prolonged isolation, he later said, gave him “the habit of dreaming awake.”


He eventually recovered and attended Trinity College Dublin, where he studied mathematics and excelled in athletics, but the stage soon captured his attention. He began reviewing theatre for the Dublin Evening Mail, which led to his first encounter with the celebrated actor Sir Henry Irving.


That meeting would change the trajectory of his life.


The Theatre Years: London, the Lyceum, and Obsession

In 1878, at the age of thirty-one, Stoker moved to London to become acting and business manager of the Lyceum Theatre, working directly under Irving. He would hold the position for nearly thirty years.


The Lyceum was not just a job, it was Bram Stoker’s life. He worked punishing hours, travelling constantly on performance tours, organising schedules, finances and logistics. Irving was famously demanding, but Stoker remained devotedly loyal.


During these years, he met many notable figures, among them Ellen Terry, the Lyceum’s leading lady, and Oscar Wilde, a friend from his Dublin youth. Stoker worked in the heart of London’s artistic and intellectual world. What is remarkable is that he managed to write fiction in the margins of this exhausting career, often through the night.


A vampire with pale skin and fangs holds his black cape open. He wears a dark suit with a red-lined collar, set against a shadowy background.

The Making of Dracula

Dracula, his fifth novel, was published in 1897. It was not his first attempt at horror, earlier stories explored themes of the supernatural, but Dracula was something altogether more ambitious.


It arrived in the age of late Victorian anxiety. Britain was wrestling with fear of invasion, disease, moral decay and scientific overreach. Stoker absorbed it all. He also researched Transylvanian folklore, medieval history, the occult, and early medical science.


The form was striking. It was told through diary entries, letters, newspaper reports, ship logs: fragmented testimony that made the horror feel documentary, almost factual. Dracula is nearly invisible in the book. What matters is the growing fear he leaves behind.


The novel was well received critically, but not a bestseller. It did not become legendary until theatre and cinema got hold of it, especially after the 1931 film adaptation starring Bela Lugosi, nine years after Stoker’s death.


Other Works: Ambition Beyond the Vampire

Although history remembers him almost solely for Dracula, Stoker wrote twelve novels in total.


Notable works include:

  • The Jewel of Seven Stars (1903) : an Egyptian mummy horror story involving death, reincarnation and occult ritual. It influenced countless later “mummy“ films.

  • The Lair of the White Worm (1911) : one of his strangest, most chaotic works, involving a shape-shifting serpent-woman and pre-Christian horror.

  • The Snake’s Pass (1890) and Miss Betty (1898) : Irish and romantic novels respectively, showing his range beyond horror.


Most of these works never achieved the lasting influence of Dracula, but they reveal Stoker’s ongoing interest in folklore, resurrection, forbidden knowledge and the fine line between rational science and ancient fear.


Final Years and Death

The Lyceum Theatre declined in the early twentieth century, and with it went Stoker’s financial stability. He suffered a series of strokes beginning around 1906, which affected his speech and mobility. His health deteriorated, and money troubles followed.


Bram Stoker died in London on 20 April 1912, aged 64. Official records cite a stroke, though tertiary complications are suspected. He died not yet a household name.


His widow Florence Stoker spent years fighting for copyright against unauthorised Dracula adaptations. It was only after his death that the world began to realise the scale of what he had created.


A Legacy That Refused to Die

Bram Stoker gave nothing less than an immortal archetype to literature. His vampire was not the first, but it was the one that endured. Through cinema, theatre, television, graphic novels, video games and even comedy, Count Dracula escaped his pages and became legend.


What makes this more extraordinary is that Stoker never sought fame as an artist. He saw himself as a working professional, a steady hand behind the scenes, not the genius at the centre of the stage.


And yet, history placed him there anyway.

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10 Astonishing Moments that Shocked the Euros

  • Writer: Connor Banks
    Connor Banks
  • Jun 6, 2024
  • 3 min read

The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Euros, has delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in football history. From underdog victories to dramatic last-minute goals, here are ten of the most surprising moments that have left fans in awe over the years.


1. Marco van Basten’s Incredible Volley (1988)

In the Euro 1988 final, Marco van Basten scored an extraordinary volley from an almost impossible angle against the Soviet Union, securing the Netherlands’ first major international trophy. This goal is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament's history. Van Basten's strike from the edge of the penalty area was a masterclass in technique and confidence, highlighting his exceptional talent and solidifying his place in football lore.




2. Denmark’s Fairytale Win (1992)

Denmark's journey to victory in Euro 1992 is a classic underdog story. Initially failing to qualify, they were given a spot after Yugoslavia's disqualification due to civil war. Against all odds, Denmark defeated Germany 2-0 in the final, capturing their first major international title. Led by coach Richard Møller Nielsen and featuring standout performances from Peter Schmeichel and John Jensen, Denmark's unexpected triumph captivated the football world.




3. David Trezeguet’s Golden Goal (2000)

France’s triumph in Euro 2000 came courtesy of David Trezeguet’s golden goal in extra time against Italy. This dramatic finish not only secured France’s second European Championship but also highlighted the thrilling nature of the now-defunct golden goal rule. Trezeguet's powerful volley into the roof of the net was a fitting end to a tournament that saw some of the best attacking football in Euros history.


4. Greece’s Shock Victory (2004)

Greece pulled off one of the biggest surprises in football history by winning Euro 2004. Entering the tournament as 150-1 outsiders, they stunned the football world by defeating hosts Portugal 1-0 in the final. Angelos Charisteas’ header sealed a victory that emphasised tactical discipline and team spirit, orchestrated by German coach Otto Rehhagel. Greece's defensive solidity and effectiveness on set pieces proved unbeatable.


5. Spain’s Dominance (2008 and 2012)

Spain’s back-to-back victories in Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 showcased a golden generation of footballers playing mesmerising tiki-taka football. Their 4-0 demolition of Italy in the Euro 2012 final was particularly stunning, marking Spain as one of the greatest teams in football history. Players like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Iker Casillas were central to Spain's unprecedented success, which included winning the 2010 World Cup




6. Michel Platini’s Goal Scoring Prowess (1984)

Michel Platini scored nine goals in Euro 1984, a record for a single tournament. His performance was pivotal in leading France to their first European Championship. Platini’s scoring spree included two perfect hat-tricks, highlighting his exceptional talent and leadership. His ability to deliver in crucial moments set the standard for future midfielders.


7. Panenka’s Iconic Penalty (1976)

Antonín Panenka’s cheeky chipped penalty in the 1976 final shootout against West Germany not only secured Czechoslovakia’s first European title but also introduced the world to the now-famous “Panenka” penalty. This moment of audacity has been imitated countless times but remains uniquely iconic. Panenka's penalty is remembered as a bold statement of creativity and confidence in football.


8. England’s Penalty Heartbreak (1996)

Euro 1996 saw England’s hopes dashed in the semi-finals against Germany at Wembley. After a 1-1 draw, the match went to penalties, where Gareth Southgate’s miss handed Germany the victory. This match is remembered for its intense drama and the painful sense of missed opportunity for England. The emotional rollercoaster experienced by fans and players alike has made this match a poignant chapter in English football history.


9. Portugal’s Triumph Against the Odds (2016)

Portugal’s unexpected victory in Euro 2016 was marked by resilience and tactical astuteness. Despite losing their star player Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early in the final against France, a late goal in extra time by substitute Eder secured Portugal’s first major international trophy. Eder’s stunning strike from a distance was a moment of individual brilliance that capped off Portugal’s determined campaign.




10. Italy’s Redemption (2020)

Italy’s win at Euro 2020 was a story of redemption after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Facing England at Wembley, they came back from an early deficit to equalise and eventually won 3-2 on penalties. Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics in the shootout were crucial, earning him the Player of the Tournament award. This victory marked Italy’s return to the top tier of international football, highlighting their tactical discipline and mental toughness.




These moments encapsulate the excitement, unpredictability, and sheer drama that the Euros consistently deliver, making it one of the most cherished tournaments in the world of football. Whether it’s a stunning goal, an underdog victory, or a dramatic penalty shootout, the Euros never fail to captivate and inspire football fans around the globe.

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