Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814–1873) was an Irish writer and one of the most influential figures in Gothic fiction. Renowned for his mastery of suspense, psychological horror, and the supernatural, Le Fanu helped define the Gothic tradition in the 19th century. His most famous works include the vampire novella Carmilla (1872), which predated Bram Stoker’s Dracula and introduced a darkly romantic, seductive form of the vampire archetype, and the mystery-laden novel Uncle Silas (1864).
Le Fanu’s stories often blend eerie atmospheres, haunted settings, and intricate plots with elements of romance and forbidden desire, making his work a touchstone for later Gothic and horror authors. He wrote extensively for magazines and serialized fiction, and his nuanced psychological portraits and mastery of suspense continue to influence horror, paranormal romance, and Gothic literature today.
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