The Vampire

Set against the backdrop of a literary contest, this 1819 prose fiction piece by John William Polidori is recognized as a foundational work in the romantic vampire genre. It emerged alongside Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, showcasing Polidori's skill in weaving various elements of vampirism into a cohesive narrative. Christopher Frayling highlights its significance as the first successful attempt to unify these themes, marking a pivotal moment in fantasy literature.