Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814–1873) wrote as an Irish author and journalist known for his mastery of gothic and supernatural fiction. He built his literary career on atmosphere and psychological tension, crafting stories where the uncanny felt disturbingly close to reality. Le Fanu wrote ghost stories, mystery tales, and horror fiction, often reflecting his fascination with death, isolation, and repressed emotions. Though he led a quiet and often reclusive life, he became a central figure in 19th-century gothic literature, influencing authors like Bram Stoker and M.R. James with works such as Uncle Silas, Green Tea, and Carmilla.
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu introduced readers to one of the earliest and most enduring vampire stories in English literature. Le Fanu used a gothic setting, eerie atmosphere, and a hauntingly mysterious relationship between two young women to explore fear, desire, and the supernatural. His novella shaped vampire fiction decades before Dracula emerged, and it remains a key influence in horror and queer literature today. … Read More
