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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Literature

Dracula

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. It is one of the most influential vampire stories in modern literature.

What it is

Dracula is an epistolary novel told through diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. It follows Count Dracula’s move from Transylvania to England and the effort to stop him.

Why it matters

The novel is widely regarded as a foundational vampire text. Count Dracula became a major cultural figure and prototype for later fictional vampires, influencing horror publishing, film, and popular culture, including in Canada.

Key details

The story begins with Jonathan Harker travelling to Transylvania. Dracula later moves to England and threatens the characters. The group pursues him and works to destroy him.

In short

  • Published in 1897
  • Epistolary format
  • Defined modern vampire
  • Influential in Canadian culture
Canadian angle

Dracula is part of the English-language literary canon read and studied in Canada, and it has had broad influence on Canadian horror publishing, film, and popular culture.

Quick questions

Who wrote Dracula?
Dracula was written by Irish author Bram Stoker.
When was Dracula published?
It was first published in 1897.
Why is Dracula important?
It is one of the most influential vampire novels and helped shape the modern popular image of vampires.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Dracula-novel
    Supports: Author, genre, epistolary form, and plot summary.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula
    Supports: Publication year, epistolary structure, and basic plot outline.
  3. SparkNoteshttps://www.sparknotes.com/lit/dracula/facts/
    Supports: Publication date, publisher, genre, setting, and collective protagonist details.
  4. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Dracula
    Supports: Count Dracula as title character, main antagonist, and literary influence.