Robert Eighteen-Bisang (1947 – September 29, 2020)[1] was a Canadian author and scholar who was one of the world’s foremost authorities on vampire literature and mythology. [2]
Born: 1947, Brantford, Ontario, Canada, Died: 29 September 2020 Other names: Robert Eighteen-Bisang
Alma mater: University of British Columbia Occupation(s): Writer, scholar Known for: Writing, book collecting and bibliographic research, Transylvania Press Notable work: Bram Stoker’s Notes for Dracula Partner: Matilda Bisang (1972 – his death)
Awards: Lord Ruthven Award 2009
His book Bram Stoker’s Notes for Dracula: A Facsimile Edition, which was written with Elizabeth Miller, won the Lord Ruthven Award. [3] The “Ruthven,” as it is often called, is awarded annually for the most outstanding work in vampire fiction or scholarship.
Other books by Eighteen-Bisang include Vampire Stories, which includes vampire stories by Arthur Conan Doyle: The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, The Captain of the Polestar, John Barrington Cowles, and The Parasite, along with The Adventure of the Illustrious Client—which Eighteen-Bisang claimed is a rationalized version of Dracula—and four more stories with tenuous connections to vampires. Publishers Weekly called the book “a stretch” and something “only completionists are likely to add to their collections.” [Biasing]
Personal Life
Eighteen-Bisang grew up in Toronto, Ontario, as the son of a professional poker player. In university, he was a backgammon player and won four championships. Eighteen-Bisang aspired to be a university professor but was talked out of the position by his professors themselves, believing the position would be too restrictive for him. After a career in marketing, Eighteen-Bisang gained an interest in vampire literature and started his research, collecting and writing. [5] As an adult, Eighteen-Bisang still played in backgammon tournaments and was a member of the Vancouver Backgammon Club. [6]
Eighteen-Bisang had amassed the largest collection of vampiric literature in the world, which he housed at his personal residence. [7][8] The collection included about 2,500 books, 2,000 comic books, 1,000 magazines, and over 100 films, including a first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Academic involvement
Eighteen-Bisang is credited with proving that the novel Dracula is based on the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper. [5][9] He also discounted that Bram Stoker based his iconic character Dracula on Vlad the Impaler, as many people believe. [10]
He had been invited to lecture on vampires in Dallas, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria. In 1997, he was guest of honor at Dracula ’97 in Los Angeles.
As author
Eighteen-Bisang was a member of the American chapter of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula, led by president J. Gordonn [11], and was a member of the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars.[5] He founded Transylvania Press, a publishing company that “publishes high-quality vampiriana for collectors, libraries, and fans.” [12]
Bram Stoker’s Notes for Dracula: A Facsimile Edition by Bram Stoker, Eighteen-Bisang and Elizabethr [13]
As editor
Vampire Stories Written by Arthur Conane [14]
Vintage Vampire Stories, co-edited with Richard Dalby[15]\
Referenced in
Best New Horror,e 6 [16]
Bram Stoker’s Dracula: a documentary volume by Elizabethr [17]
Bram Stoker’s Notes for Dracula: An Annotated Transcription and Comprehensive Analysis by Michael Barsanti, Eighteen-Bisang and Elizabethr [18]
Dracula in Visual Media: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921-2010 by John Edgar Browning and Caroline Joan (Kay)t [19]
The Complete Vampire Companion by Rosemary Guiley and J. B.e [20]
The New Annotated Dracula by Bramr [21]
Pulse of Darkness by Christopher Sequeira and Kurt Stone
The Soul of an Angel by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
University Affairs
Young Lusty Sluts by Michael Goss
From Robert Eighteen-Bisang’s Wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Eighteen-Bisang