The Granddaddy of Goth...
Published in 1764, Horace Walpole's dark novel can be seen as the genesis, or beginning, of the gothic horror novel genre. His model influenced a generation of better known gothic authors, and set the stage, or model for books by Shelley, Poe, Stoker...and bred quite a few copycat stories that borrowed from Walpole's work.
When first released, the book claims to be translated from an earlier Italian manuscript, which it wasn't, that's the farce of Walpole and his tale...
The first and second editions are not online...but the third from 1766 is:
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, 3rd Edition
