Melmoth the Wanderer tells the story of John Melmoth, a Dublin student and a scholar who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for 150 extra years of life, and searches the world for someone who will take over the pact for him, in a manner reminiscent of the Wandering Jew.

Charles Maturin (1782-1824), was an Irish Protestant clergyman and a writer of Gothic plays and novels. His best known work is the novel Melmoth the Wanderer. In addition, he produced several novels, including some on Irish subjects and The Albigenses, a historical novel which features werewolves. The novel Melmoth the Wanderer was also published in French translation in and served as an influential model for writers in France.