BRAM STOKER (1847-1912)
The Bram Stoker Memorial Assn.
Founded 1985
BRAM STOKER (1847-1912)
Dr. Jeanne Keyes Youngson, president and founder of the
BRAM STOKER MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION, first became aware of Stoker as an individual
in his own right when she read Harry Ludlam's A Biography of Dracula:
The Life Story of Bram Stoker in 1964.
Indeed, until the publication of Ludlam's book in '62, little was known
of Stoker except that he had worked at the Lyceum Theatre in London as Acting
Manager for the renowned stage performer, Henry Irving.
Ludlam's biography surely set Youngson's subconscious working overtime.
In 1965 while on a trip to Romania, she conceived the idea of starting a
Dracula Fan Club in honor of Stoker's Count, Vlad Dracula the Impaler, and
of course Stoker himself.
Now operating under the title THE VAMPIRE EMPIRE,
(formerly and for over 35 years the Count Dracula Fan Club), the society
is still very much alive and thriving.
And so is THE BRAM STOKER MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION which was established by
Youngson in 1985. Frequent trips to Ireland to attend summer conferences
at Trinity College brought her in contact with Leslie Shepard, founder of
the Bram Stoker Society, and his associates, David Lass and Dr. Albert
Power. Youngson's notion of starting a Stoker Society based in the United
States was greeted with great enthusiasm by Shepard, and so, on June 25th,
1985, the BSMA was formally introduced to and for Stoker enthusiasts throughout
the world.
Membership in the BRAM STOKER MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION is one of the privileges
of belonging to the VAMPIRE EMPIRE and runs concurrently with the period
of registration. News and announcements of Stoker events and relevant books
appear in the club's Quarterly newsletter. Society members are invited to
join one of Dr. Youngson's famous "Bram Stoker Walks" in Dublin, starting
at Trinity College and ending at St. Michan's Church.
The BSMA has, through the years, continued to work in tandem with the
Irish BRAM STOKER SOCIETY and in 1998, hosted a Sherry & Wine reception
at Wynn's Hotel in Dublin in celebration of the society's First Gothic Literature
Symposium. We strongly urge those interested in the author of Dracula to
join the BSS. Information may be obtained by contacting David Lass, Hon.
Secretary, The Bram Stoker Society, Regent House, Trinity College, Dublin
2, Ireland. E-mail: dlass@tcd.ie, Fax: Attention David Lass: 003531:671-9003.
SPECIAL BOOK OFFER: My Quest for Bram Stoker by Harry Ludlam...Followup
to Ludlam's first biography of Bram Stoker's life...$15.00 + $1.50 postage
(USA) $4.00 for air mail postage all other places
COMING SOON: Bram Stoker has Arisen from the Grave (with help
from some of his friends) Please contact us for availability.
OFFICERS OF THE BSMA
President and Founder: Dr. Jeanne Keyes Youngson
European Vice President: Dr. Mark Benecke
US Vice President: Edward J. Connor
Associate Executive Director: Jennifer O'Casey
Associate Executive Director: Dr. Jerome Dillon
PATRONS
Dr. Elizabeth Miller,
Dr. Stanley Krippner, Eric Held, John Moore (Ireland), Frank Dello Stritto,
Barry Morse (England)
SPECIAL NOTICE: FOR FULL INFORMATION ON THE BRAM STOKER SUMMER SCHOOL, PLEASE CONTACT: dmcintyre@ireland.com. Also check out their website: www.bramstokercentre.org
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR SITE. WE CAN BE REACHED BY E-MAIL
AT EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES: bramstoker145@yahoo.com and countdracula145@hotmail.com,
OR YOU CAN WRITE to: THE BRAM STOKER MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION, Penthouse North,
Suite 145, 29 Washington Square West, New York, N.Y. 10011-9180, USA
De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bonum!