English Literature Collection: The Vampyre

The Vampyre, written by Lord Byron’s personal physician John Polidori, is the first English vampire story and established many conventions of vampire literature, including the linkage of sexuality and violence. The vampiric Lord Ruthven was modeled on Byron and the tale was often falsely attributed to Byron, as on this American printing, an attribution that only helped its popularity.

Author or Artist John Polidori
Date Acquired by Rosenbach Brothers 06/30/2011