The Bram Stoker Society
An organization to encourage the study, appreciation, and
presentation of the work of Bram Stoker in his own country, to
maintain friendly relations with the Dracula Society and similar
organizations on matters of common interest, to facilitate
research into the Irish associations of the Stoker family, to advise
or promote tourist visits to locales associated with Bram
Stoker and other Gothic novelists, to campaign for plaques to
be placed on Irish sites associated with the Stoker family, to
plan social events (such as lectures, film shows, and discussions)
connected with Bram Stoker and related Irish authors, and to
press for the establishment of a permanent Bram Stoker Museum
in Dublin. The society was founded in 1980 by Leslie Shepard,
the current chairman.
In 1983, through the efforts of the society, the Dublin Tourist
Board erected a plaque at No. 30 Kildare St., Dublin, which
was Bram Stokers first independent address in 1871 after the
birthplace at Fairview, Dublin, was sold. The unveiling was performed
by Ann Stoker, granddaughter of the novelist; Ivan
Stoker-Dixon, Stokers grandnephew, also attended. In honor
of the occasion, the National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin,
opened an exhibition of Bram Stoker books and other materials.
The society suspended its independent status in 1986 and
reorganized as the Bram Stoker Club of the Philosophical Society,
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Since Bram Stoker himself
had served as president of the Philosophical Society at
Trinity College, the affiliation seemed appropriate and was
marked by the inauguration of the Bram Stoker Archives at
Trinity College. This exhibition in the Graduates Memorial
Building displayed the Leslie Shepard collection of Bram Stoker
first editions, autographed material, related literature, and
other memorabilia and was open to the general public.
It was intended to be a permanent exhibition, but the Philosophical
Society was unable to provide proper security, and
after the collection suffered some disorganization, it was withdrawn
by Leslie Shepard, pending the availability of a safer
permanent venue.
Certain items from Leslie Shepards collection were subsequently
donated to the Dublin Writers Museum on a long-term
loan basis, where they may be viewed by the public. The Bram
Stoker Society then reemerged as the international body to
which the Bram Stoker Club in Trinity College is affiliated.
Since 1991 the society has cosponsored the Bram Stoker International
Summer School for a weekend each June. The school
is held at Clontarf, Dublin, near Stokers birthplace. The society
may be contacted co David Lass, Hon. Secretary, Regent
House, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. It publishes a
monthly newsletter and annual journal.
Sources
Shepard, Les. The Dracula Book of Great Vampire Stories. New
York Citadel Press, 1981.
