Canadian author and scholar (1947–2020)
Robert Eighteen |
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| Born | 1947
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| Died | 29 September 2020 |
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| Other names | Robert Eighteen-Bisang |
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| Alma mater | University of British Columbia |
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| Occupation(s) | Writer, scholar |
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| Known for | Writing, book collecting and bibliographic research, Transylvania Press |
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| Notable work | Bram Stoker's Notes for Dracula |
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| Partner | Matilda Bisang (1972 – his death) |
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| Awards | Lord Ruthven Award 2009 |
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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]
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 Barrrington 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 this to their collections."[4]
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]
Eighteen-Bisang was a member of the American chapter of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula, led by president J. Gordon Melton,[11] and was a member of the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars.[5] He founded Transylvania Press, a publishing company which "publishes high-quality vampiriana for collectors, libraries and fans."[12]
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.
