Bram Stoker

B. 20 March 1853 at Artane Lodge, Fairview, Dublin, Ireland 

D. 23 May 1928 at Dublin, Ireland 

Marriage to David William Thomson 27 June 1878 

St. Peter's Parish, Dublin 

Margaret Dalrymple Stoker, born in 1853, was just twelve years old when her father retired, and fifteen when Bram began his job at Dublin Castle. She and her sister Matilda went abroad to live with their parents in 1872, where perhaps they could make more of Abraham’s annual pension. The family originally planned to travel to France and Switzerland, but added Italy to the agenda, giving the girls a more worldly perspective to round out their education. After Abraham Sr.’s death and burial in Naples in 1876, both daughters remained with Charlotte in Italy for a time. Margaret returned to Dublin to live with Thornley and Emily on Harcourt Street. In 1878, Margaret married William Thomson, a physician, surgeon, associate and neighbor. Thomson’s medical career was impressive, his accomplishments and recognitions would rival Thornley’s, and included being knighted in 1897, and awarded a Baronetcy in 1900.  

During the Boer War, while her husband served as Chief Surgeon to the Irish Hospital in South Africa, and Margaret, by then, Lady Thomson, coordinated a very successful charity drive, “organizing gifts of socks, shoes, shirts, pipes, tobacco, cigarettes etc …dispatched….to South Africa.” In South Africa, Dr. George Stoker served as Thomson’s second in command, with his (Thomson’s) son Douglas as a dresser. Some disagreement between George Stoker and William Thomson, followed them back home to Ireland, which caused lasting alienation between Margaret and her brothers - made more difficult, when upon Thomson’s death, Tom Stoker requested Douglas Thomson make good on a loan his father had not repaid.