Horace Walpole 
Castle of Otranto 

Hailed as the first gothic novel, and credited with inspiring an entire genre of literary works, the Castle of Otranto is a venerable classic. First published in 1764, the book tells the tale of the titular castle, and the supposed curse that has befallen Manfred — its lord — and his family. When his son is struck and killed by a gargantuan helmet falling onto him from above shortly before his wedding, Manfred fears that the castle’s curse will spell the end of his lineage — and resorts to desperate measures to lift it.