Frankenstein

Mary Shelley, born in 1797, is one of the most influential figures in English literature, best known for her groundbreaking novel Frankenstein, a work that revolutionized the genre of science fiction. The daughter of renowned philosophers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, she was surrounded by intellectual influences from a young age. Shelley’s early life was marked by personal tragedy, including the death of her mother shortly after her birth and the loss of her beloved husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley’s Frankenstein, published in 1818, explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of scientific ambition. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living creature, only to be horrified by his creation. Frankenstein has since become a cornerstone of Gothic literature and a timeless meditation on human nature and ethics. Throughout her career, Shelley published several other works, including The Last Man (1826), a dystopian novel set in a future ravaged by plague, and Valperga (1823), which blends historical fiction with romance. Although her literary fame during her lifetime was overshadowed by that of her husband, Shelley’s legacy has only grown over time, and she is now regarded as one of the pioneers of modern horror and science fiction. Her contributions to literature have inspired countless writers and filmmakers, and Mary Shelley remains a symbol of innovation, resilience, and literary brilliance.