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Some of you are, no doubt, aware of my interest in finding commonality between Richard Francis Burton and Mark Twain. The closest I’ve come has been to compare their respective journeys across North America; Burton in 1860 and Sam Clemens in 1861. Other points include their interest in the Arabian Nights and both men had visited Baalbek. An additional point has recently come to my attention, that of friendship with Bram Stoker, the author of “Dracula” and acting manager of the renowned actor Sir Henry Irving.
One resource that may be of interest is BRAM STOKER AND THE MAN WHO WAS DRACULA by Barbara Belford (2002). She examines Stoker's relationship with both Twain and Burton. No quotes from letters from Stoker to Twain regarding Burton, but the details she covers indicate there were plenty of opportunities for discussion. Stoker was even an investor in the Paige typesetter.
Thanks for the reference, Barbara. I found a copy on Abe Books along with another bio of Stoker, "Something in the Blood".
On 4/1/23 11:48, Barbara Schmidt wrote: > One resource that may be of interest is BRAM STOKER AND THE MAN WHO WAS > DRACULA by Barbara Belford (2002). She examines Stoker's relationship with > both Twain and Burton. No quotes from letters from Stoker to Twain > regarding Burton, but the details she covers indicate there were plenty of > opportunities for discussion. Stoker was even an investor in the Paige > typesetter. > > Barb > >
Scott,Happy hunting. There have been five major biographies of Stoker published since 1962, and the combined information on Burton does not amount to much. You've already found the best Stoker-centric reference in the two-volume "Personal Reminiscences of Henry Irving." Although Stoker's tribute to the actor (who also admired Twain), it's also the closest thing he wrote to a memoir. Seeking information from the Stoker side can be terribly limiting and frustrating, Always the soul of discretion, the ever-loyal Stoker never betrayed confidences in life or in his writing. Admirable, but he always ends up telling us less than half of
