"Varney the Vampire" is a Victorian-era Gothic novel written by James Malcolm Rymer and published in 1845. It is one of the earliest vampire stories in English literature, featuring the character Varney, a nobleman with vampiric traits. The story explores themes of horror, romance, and the supernatural, reflecting the societal fears of the time. The novel was published in serialized form and became popular among readers, contributing to the vampire genre's development. Varney is depicted as a tragic figure, struggling with his monstrous nature while seeking redemption. The work influenced later vampire literature, including Bram Stoker's Dracula.