The fact that the Stokers had only one child has caused speculation that the marriage was distant and loveless. Some sources say that Florence refused to have a physical relationship with her husband after Noel was born, resulting in his visits to prostitutes. [1]
Author Bram Stoker married on 4 December 1878 in St Anne’s Church in Dublin. His new wife, 20-year-old Florence, was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel James Balcombe and Phillippa Anne Marshall. Not much is known about Florence’s early life and education.
Bram and Florence had both grown up in Dublin so their paths would probably have crossed. Before her marriage, Florence, a celebrated beauty, dated Oscar Wilde for a short time. There must have been no lasting ill will, however, as the Stokers remained friends with Oscar and the Wilde family.
Within a few days of their marriage, the couple moved to London, where 31-year-old Bram became business manager of Henry Irving’s Lyceum Theatre in London, a position he held for 27 years. The collaboration with Irving was important for Stoker and through him, he became involved in London’s high society.
On 31 December 1879, Bram and Florence’s only child, a son, Irving Noel, (known as Noel) was born.
Bram Stoker was a man of considerable energy and talent. As well as managing Irving’s theatre, he delivered lectures, travelled extensively, toured with Irving’s acting company, and he wrote several novels, the best known being Dracula, as well as several works of non-fiction.
After suffering several strokes, Bram Stoker died in London in April 1912. Florence outlived her husband by 25 years during which time she promoted and protected the integrity of her late husband’s work. She died in 1937 at the age of 78.
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