Vampyr

Published in 1819, 'Vampyr' by John William Polidori is recognized as the first vampire story in English literature. It originated from a storytelling challenge among literary figures, including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley, during a summer in Geneva. The tale introduces Lord Ruthven, a character that established the archetype of the modern vampire, influencing the genre significantly. Initially attributed to Byron due to a publishing error, Polidori's work laid the groundwork for future vampire narratives.