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This short work of prose fiction (written in 1819) is often viewed as the progenitor of the romantic vampire genre of fantasy fiction, almost singlehandedly creating the now-popular image of the vampire as an aristocratic seducer.

Quote: His guardians insisted upon his immediately leaving his friend, and urged, that his character was dreadfully vicious, for that the possession of irresistible powers of seduction, rendered his licentious habits more dangerous to society. It had been discovered, that his contempt for the adultress had not originated in hatred of her character; but that he had required, to enhance his gratification, that his victim, the partner of his guilt, should be hurled from the pinnacle of unsullied virtue, down to the lowest abyss of infamy and degradation.