The Gothic Flame: Being a History of the Gothic Novel in England: Its Origins, Efflorescence, Disintegration, and Residuary Influences

Devendra P. Varma was born in Darbhanga, India on October 17, 1923. He eventually became a Canadian citizen. He taught English at universities in India, Nepal, Syria and Egypt before joining the Dalhousie University faculty in 1963. He became a full professor in 1969 and formally retired in 1991. As a professor of English and Gothic romance literature, he oversaw the publication of more than 100 Gothic novels. Some required him to patch together pieces of books that had not been seen or read since they left the print shop in the late 1700's or early 1800's. He wrote several books including Gothic Flame: Being a History of the Gothic Novel in England and The Evergreen Tree of Diabolical Knowledge. He died from a massive stroke on October 24, 1994 at the age of 71.