Famous Imposters, Pretenders & Hoaxes (ePub)

Bram Stoker, born Abraham Stoker on November 8, 1847, in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland, was an influential Irish author renowned for his contributions to Gothic literature. His early years were marked by a mysterious illness that confined him to bed, during which literature provided solace and escape. Stoker graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, and excelled in the humanities, exhibiting a profound interest in the arts and literary culture (Belford, 1996). His career began as a civil servant, but he also established himself as a prominent theatre critic. Stoker's friendship with the famed actor Sir Henry Irving led to his lifelong role as manager of London's Lyceum Theatre. This close association with the Victorian theatrical world likely influenced his literary works with themes of drama and suspense (Eighteen-Bisang & Miller, 2008). Stoker's seminal work, 'Dracula' (1897), ensures his enduring legacy, providing a template for the horror genre and the modern vampire mythos (Glover, 1996). In addition to 'Dracula,' Stoker was a prolific author with novels like 'The Jewel of Seven Stars' and 'The Lady of the Shroud' weaving narratives rich with supernatural elements and suspenseful plots. His work 'Famous Imposters' explores historical instances of deception and intrigue, showcasing Stoker's penchant for meticulous research and his fascination with the darker aspects of human nature. Bram Stoker's literary style, characterized by epistolary storytelling and macabre atmosphere, has left a lasting impression on horror and Gothic literature, shaping its evolution long after his death on April 20, 1912 (Stoker, 1910; Hughes, 2000).