The Anglo-Irish background to Dracula

31 October 2012 · BBC America

Paul Hechinger

Bram Stoker Estate account

Estate summary

Paul Hechinger explores the British and Irish cultural background of Dracula, drawing on Dacre Stoker’s appearance at New York Comic Con. The feature places the novel alongside earlier vampire fiction and reports Dacre’s interpretations of Bram’s childhood, family stories and medical connections. It also follows the proposed importance of Slains Castle and Whitby, including the shipwreck narrative and the discovery of the name Dracula in William Wilkinson’s book. Hechinger considers Henry Irving as a possible model for the Count and closes with a family anecdote about Bram’s attempted rescue of a drowning man. The article’s claims about childhood treatment, personal relationships and particular inspirations remain attributed interpretations and recollections, rather than established explanations of how the novel was written.

Complete BBC America Anglophenia feature recovered and inspected in the Internet Archive capture of 3 November 2012. By Paul Hechinger; the publisher explicitly dates the article Wednesday, 31 October 2012. This is the article date, distinct from the capture date. Biographical, medical and inspiration claims are attributed, not independently established by this record. Copyrighted article linked rather than copied or translated.

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Dacre Stoker speaking at New York Comic Con, as pictured in the 2012 article.Paul Hechinger / BBC America Anglophenia.Copyright remains with the photographer or rights holder.