Try as we might, we can’t seem to discourage writers from exploring the vampire myth. If you’re going to indulge, you might as well do some research into interesting historical characters tied to the legends.
In a recent post on Mysterious Universe, Brent Swancer shares the tale of Russian Baroness Elizaveta Alexandrovna Stroganova, who after her death was surrounded by rumors of vampirism. After the baroness was interred in an ornate mausoleum, some strange stories arose. According to various rumors, Stroganova’s will set aside a fortune for anyone who could live a year in the mausoleum with her corpse. The individual was forbidden human contact and allowed only reading as a diversion. The person would be allowed outside for one hour a day in the pre-dawn hours for exercise. Complicating the effort was the rumor that the Baroness had been buried in a see-through crystal coffin, so that her company would not be able to lose sight of her visage.
While many tried to win the fortune, most abandoned the effort within a few days. According to those who tried, they were beset by weird and unearthly sounds and confronted by ghosts. Many fell ill or had nervous breakdowns and others emerged from the crypt covered in bruises and scratches.
The rumors of vampirism arose due to the strange symbols and numbers drawn onto the mausoleum. Worse, the Baroness’ body was said not to have decayed noticeably, until she became known as the Vampire Baroness of Paris.
