The Purcell Papers Sheridan Le Fanu - Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (28 August 1814 7 February 1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the nineteenth century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era. Three of his best known works are Uncle Silas, Carmilla and The House by the Churchyard.