Who is credited with writing the first vampire novel?

The first vampire novel is credited to John Polidori, who wrote "The Vampyre," published in 1819. This work is significant as it marks the emergence of the vampire as a recognizable literary figure, distinct from earlier folklore. Polidori's "The Vampyre" introduced themes of seduction, aristocracy, and the supernatural, which would heavily influence future representations of vampires in literature and popular culture.

While Bram Stoker is well-known for "Dracula," which further popularized the vampire mythos and established many conventions of modern vampire fiction, his work came after Polidori's. Mary Shelley, famous for "Frankenstein," explored themes of monstrosity and creation, but she did not focus on vampires specifically. Lord Byron, a contemporary of Polidori, is often associated with the Romantic movement and inspired Polidori but did not write a vampire novel himself. Thus, the acknowledgment of Polidori as the author of the first vampire novel highlights his foundational role in the genre.