Bram Stoker's Personal Life
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According to Richard Means, Bram Stoker spent most of his childhood as an invalid after he was born in Dublin, Ireland on November 8, 1847. He was constantly weak and sick, causing him to be unable to walk until the age of seven. Stoker grew up with four brothers and two sisters (2). According to Andrew Maunder, Bram was especially close to his two older brothers, Thornley and George, who both became doctors (3). Despite his unfortunate childhood illness, Means's biography of Stoker reveals that as he aged, he grew very quickly and soon became stronger and taller than most of his peers. Stoker was apparently quite timid in his early school career, but his teachers noticed he was exceptionally bright. He eventually became more confident and excelled at Trinity College as a student and an athlete. Stoker graduated from Trinity College with a degree in law to follow in his father's footsteps, but nevertheless was interested in literature and published his first novel just five years after graduation college (2).
As stated in Andrew Maunder's eBook, Stoker married well-known beauty, Florence Anne Lemon Balcombe in 1878. Around a year later, Florence gave birth to their first and only son, Noel (3). However, according to Means, Stoker's sexual relationship with his wife ended shortly after Noel was born, leading him to involvement with other women. Years of activity with prostitutes caused Stoker to develop syphilis, which in turn caused him to have a stroke later on. He not only suffered from this disease, but also gout and a kidney condition before his death in 1912 at the age of 64 (2).
Stoker developed relationships with several other well-known figures of his time. According to CliffsNotes.com, Stoker met Henry Irving, a famous actor, when Stoker was 29 years old. He had seen Irving's acting before and was quite impressed by his talent. Following this meeting, Stoker became the acting manager of Irving's theater and kept the position for 27 years (4). According to Means, Stoker was also very close with Oscar Wilde for several years after Wilde's mother, a writer, invited Stoker into her exclusive literary circle. Interestingly, Florence Balcombe had previously been Wilde's lover (2). Maunder's eBook explains that Stoker was also a fan of Walt Whitman. After years of correspondence, Stoker officially met Whitman in 1884 (3).
According to Means, Stoker wrote eighteen novels, but none of them became nearly as popular as Dracula. Among his literary accomplishments, Stoker was also recognized for attempting to save a drowning man in 1882. He evidently witnessed a man jumping off of the cruise ship they were both on, with the intention of committing suicide. Stoker jumped off the ship and was able to successfully return the man back on board. Although the man lost his life that day, Stoker was still honored for his bravery, as he was featured as a hero in several newspapers and the Royal Humane Society awarded him with a medal (2).
As stated in Andrew Maunder's eBook, Stoker married well-known beauty, Florence Anne Lemon Balcombe in 1878. Around a year later, Florence gave birth to their first and only son, Noel (3). However, according to Means, Stoker's sexual relationship with his wife ended shortly after Noel was born, leading him to involvement with other women. Years of activity with prostitutes caused Stoker to develop syphilis, which in turn caused him to have a stroke later on. He not only suffered from this disease, but also gout and a kidney condition before his death in 1912 at the age of 64 (2).
Stoker developed relationships with several other well-known figures of his time. According to CliffsNotes.com, Stoker met Henry Irving, a famous actor, when Stoker was 29 years old. He had seen Irving's acting before and was quite impressed by his talent. Following this meeting, Stoker became the acting manager of Irving's theater and kept the position for 27 years (4). According to Means, Stoker was also very close with Oscar Wilde for several years after Wilde's mother, a writer, invited Stoker into her exclusive literary circle. Interestingly, Florence Balcombe had previously been Wilde's lover (2). Maunder's eBook explains that Stoker was also a fan of Walt Whitman. After years of correspondence, Stoker officially met Whitman in 1884 (3).
According to Means, Stoker wrote eighteen novels, but none of them became nearly as popular as Dracula. Among his literary accomplishments, Stoker was also recognized for attempting to save a drowning man in 1882. He evidently witnessed a man jumping off of the cruise ship they were both on, with the intention of committing suicide. Stoker jumped off the ship and was able to successfully return the man back on board. Although the man lost his life that day, Stoker was still honored for his bravery, as he was featured as a hero in several newspapers and the Royal Humane Society awarded him with a medal (2).
Works Cited/Resources for More Information:
1. "Pictures of Bram Stoker." Bram Stoker - Pictures, http://bramstoker.org/pict.html
2. Means, Richard. "Bram Stoker." 1 Aug. 2017. Middle Search Plus, http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-bloomu.klnpa.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=5&sid=00d636c7-d942-45a6-85df-b7343285c5a1%40sdc-v-sessmgr02&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=19358662&db=mih
3. Maunder, Andrew. Bram Stoker. Northcote House Publishers, 2006, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bloomsburguniv-ebooks/reader.action?docID=3383429
4. “Dracula.” Bram Stoker Biography, https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/d/dracula/bram-stoker-biography
So interesting to study further into Bram Stoker's life. I wonder what and how his life events affected the story of Dracula. Like Jocelyn said, I wouldn't have thought about Stoker being one to get Syphilis from prostitutes. However, maybe this gave him the idea of Johnathan being tempted by the three vampire women, and the sexual desire he felt even though he was committed to another woman.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaylen! I really enjoyed reading your post, as it was well-structured and a very interesting read. Understanding Stoker's own relationship with his wife and then prostitutes, brings a new way of lookin at how he formulates the relationships within his own literature. Also, Stoker being recognized as a hero for attempting to save the man who had jumped off the ship was surprising and interesting. Overall, a great read!
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