The Nov. 8 and 9 conference, "Stoker Undead," begins on the 150th anniversary of Bram Stoker's birth. This year also marks the centenary of the publication of Stoker's masterpiece, Dracula , and the 75th anniversary of "Nosferatu," which McNally calls "the oldest and best surviving Dracula movie."
In addition, 1997 is the 25th anniversary of the publication of In Search of Dracula , co-authored by McNally and Prof. Emeritus Radu Florescu (History), which first brought to light the existence of Vlad the Impaler, the medieval Romanian warrior prince upon whom Stoker based his vampire.
Scholars from the United States, Canada and Europe will participate in the conference. They will discuss such diverse topics as Stoker's literary influences, his Irish background, Transylvania, Vlad the Impaler, "Nosferatu," and others.
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, best-selling author of The Saint-Germain Chronicles , will address a Nov. 8 conference banquet.
Prof. Raymond McNally (History).
Among the Boston College faculty participating in the conference are McNally, Florescu, Prof. John Michalczyk (Fine Arts), Prof. Richard Blake, SJ (Fine Arts), Assoc. Prof. Jeffery Howe (Fine Arts) and Assoc. Prof. Kevin O'Neill (History). BC graduate student David Thiele will lead a panel of emerging Dracula scholars titled "Young Blood."
McNally said Boston College faculty and students may attend the conference at no charge by presenting their BC IDs at the door. For a complete list of lectures, presentations and panel discussions, and their locations, contact McNally at ext. 2-3804 or by e-mail at mcnally@bc.edu.