The Life and Times of Mary Shelley: A Comprehensive Biographical Account
Mary Shelley was a remarkable English novelist and writer who is best known for her famous science-fiction novel Frankenstein. She was born in London, England on August 30th, 1797, to a famous feminist and philosopher, Mary Wollstonecraft, and a political philosopher, William Godwin.
Early Life and Education
Mary Shelley’s early life was marked by tragedy. She lost her mother to childbirth complications just 11 days after her birth, and her father remarried when she was four, leaving her feeling lonely and isolated. She found comfort in reading, and by the age of ten, had already read hundreds of books, including works by William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, whom she would eventually marry.
In 1814, Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was married at the time. They fell in love and eloped to France with Mary’s stepsister, Claire Clairmont. They spent a tumultuous few years traveling Europe, confronting constant financial struggles, and dealing with the death of their first child.
The Writing of Frankenstein
It was during a summer spent with Percy and several other writers in Switzerland that Mary began writing her most famous work, Frankenstein. This novel was published anonymously in 1818 and soon became a sensation in literary circles.
The story of Frankenstein tells the tale of a young scientist who creates a living creature from dead body parts. The novel brought Mary Shelley critical acclaim and cemented her status as one of the premier authors of her time.
Later Life and Death
Mary Shelley continued to write and publish throughout her life, but never achieved the same level of success as she did with Frankenstein. She and Percy had several children together, but only one survived into adulthood.
After Percy’s death in 1822, Mary was left to raise their son alone. She died on February 1st, 1851, at the age of 53, due to a brain tumor. Mary Shelley’s legacy as a writer and feminist icon continues to inspire generations of readers and writers to this day.
Conclusion
Mary Shelley was a gifted writer who overcame immense personal tragedy to create some of the most iconic pieces of literature of the 19th century, including Frankenstein. Her contributions to literature and her status as a feminist icon continue to inspire and influence writers today.
