Stoker, Bram: - Bram Stoker (1847-1912) was an Irish author who was better known in his lifetime for his association with Sir Henry Irving, the most famous actor of his day. Born and raised in Dublin, Stoker graduated with honors in mathematics from Trinity College. He then joined his father in the Irish Civil Service at Dublin Castle, where he worked for the next eight years. During that time he became an unpaid drama critic for the Dublin Evening Mail and began his writing career. His first story, "The Crystal Cup," appeared in 1872; his first novel, The Primrose Path, was published in 1875. In 1876 he met Henry Irving after publishing a favorable review of Irving's Hamlet at the Theatre Royal in Dublin. In 1878 he became Irving's personal assistant and business manager of Irving's Lyceum Theatre-a post he maintained until Irving's death in 1905. In all, Stoker published some eighteen books before his death, Dracula being by far his most enduring work.