Mary Shelley

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St Pancras, Middlesex (1815)

Portrait of Percy Bysshe Shelley by Curran, 1819

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Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin, and her mother was the philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

Early Life

Mary Shelley was born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin in London in 1797, the daughter of two eminent intellectuals. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died of puerperal fever shortly after Mary was born. Her father, William Godwin, provided Mary with a rich, if informal, education, encouraging her to adhere to his own anarchist political theories. In 1814, Mary began a romantic relationship with one of her father’s political followers, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married. Together, they left England for France, and after they returned, lived together as part of a close circle of radical intellectuals and writers.

Frankenstein

In 1816, Mary, Percy, and others spent a summer with Lord Byron in Geneva. During this time, Byron proposed that they each write a ghost story. Mary's contribution to the contest became the novel Frankenstein, which she began writing at the age of 18. The first edition was published anonymously in 1818, and her name appeared on the second edition published in France in 1823.

Frankenstein is considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction. It explores themes of galvanism, the role of the creator, and the limits of scientific endeavor. The novel has had a profound influence on literature and popular culture and has spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films, and plays.

Later Life and Works

After Percy Shelley's death in 1822, Mary Shelley devoted herself to promoting his poetry and securing their son's welfare. She continued to write until her death, producing novels, short stories, and travel writings, among other works. Her works often discussed the role of women in society and their relationships to men, power, and independence. Despite her literary achievements, she often struggled financially and faced criticism for her unconventional lifestyle.

Legacy

Mary Shelley's legacy extends beyond Frankenstein. She contributed to the romanticism movement and influenced the development of the gothic novel, science fiction, and horror genres. Her works, which often intertwined personal, political, and philosophical themes, continue to be studied for their literary and social significance.

Selected Works

• Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818)
• Valperga (1823)
• The Last Man (1826)
• The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck (1830)
• Lodore (1835)
• Falkner (1837)

See Also

• Romanticism
• Gothic novel
• Science fiction
• Horror fiction