Mary Shelley (1797–1851) was an English novelist, best known for her groundbreaking Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), a work that redefined horror and science fiction. Born in London to radical intellectuals—philosopher William Godwin and feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, who died shortly after her birth—Shelley grew up steeped in progressive ideas and literary culture.

At 16, Mary eloped with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, a Romantic visionary already married. Their unconventional relationship, marked by passion, tragedy, and intellectual collaboration, shaped her life and work. The couple faced social ostracism, financial struggles, and the loss of three of their four children. In 1816, during a stormy summer in Geneva with Percy and poet Lord Byron, Mary conceived Frankenstein after a ghost story challenge. Inspired by contemporary scientific debates about electricity and life, the novel explores themes of creation, ambition, and the consequences of defying nature.

Published anonymously at first, Frankenstein was a sensation, though critics often credited Percy until Mary’s authorship was confirmed. The story of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation remains a cultural touchstone, probing ethical questions about science and humanity. Shelley wrote other novels, like The Last Man (1826), a pioneering apocalyptic tale, but none matched Frankenstein’s impact. After Percy’s death in 1822, she supported herself through writing and editing, preserving his legacy while establishing her own.

Mary Shelley’s life was one of resilience amid personal loss and societal constraints. Her work, blending Romanticism and Gothic horror, continues to captivate, making her a literary icon whose influence endures in modern storytelling.

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Mary Shelley

The Silent Fields

Lord Byron