Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814โ1873) was an Irish writer, celebrated for his pivotal contributions to the Gothic horror genre. Born in Dublin to a literary family, Le Fanu studied law at Trinity College, but his passion for writing soon eclipsed his legal career. He became a leading ghost-story writer of the nineteenth century, drawing on Celtic folklore and the haunting landscapes of his homeland to create an atmosphere of eerie suspense in his work. Le Fanu's most enduring legacy is likely 'Carmilla' (1872), a novella that predated Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' by 25 years and introduced many tropes that would become staples of vampire fiction. The story of Carmilla, a female vampire who preys on a young girl, was groundbreaking for its exploration of complex themes such as female sexuality and the supernatural. It has since inspired countless adaptations and continues to influence the genre today. Le Fanu's literary style often involved a slow burn of psychological terror, his haunted settings and ethereal spectres provoking deep-set unease rather than shock. His tales were grounded in the human psyche, examining fear and superstition. His extensive body of work, including 'Uncle Silas' and 'The House by the Churchyard', has cemented Le Fanu as a master of the uncanny and a forefather of modern horror writing.