Which British author wrote the Gothic novel 'The Castle of Otranto'?

Horace Walpole wrote the Gothic novel The Castle of Otranto. First published in 1764, it is widely regarded as the first Gothic novel and helped establish the genre's signature blend of medieval settings, supernatural events, terror, and family secrets.

Walpole initially presented the book as an English translation of an Italian manuscript supposedly written by a fictional author, Onuphrio Muralto. When the second edition appeared in 1765, he acknowledged authorship and added the subtitle A Gothic Story. This unusual publication trick caused some readers to reassess the novel, but its influence continued to grow.

The story takes place in a haunted castle ruled by Manfred, whose son Conrad is crushed by a gigantic helmet on the day of his wedding. Secret passages, ghostly apparitions, mistaken identities, and an ancient prophecy drive the plot. Walpole drew inspiration from medieval history and from Strawberry Hill House, his own Gothic Revival home.

Later Gothic writers, including Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, Mary Shelley, and Bram Stoker, developed ideas that Walpole helped popularise. A common mix-up is confusing Walpole, the genre's pioneer, with those later authors.