5 Things You Didn’t Know about Mary Shelley’s Life and Writing

The Life and Writing of Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, an English writer, is best known for her novel, Frankenstein. However, there is more to her life and writing than what meets the eye. Here are five things you didn’t know about Mary Shelley’s life and writing.

1. Her Life was Marred by Personal Tragedies

Mary Shelley was born in 1797 in London to political philosopher William Godwin and feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft. Her mother died when she was only eleven days old. Her father then remarried, and Mary didn’t get along with her stepmother. In 1816, when she was 19, she eloped with Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married and had children. Sadly, Mary lost several children during childbirth, and Shelley drowned when she was only 24, leaving her with a toddler and no money.

2. She Wrote Frankenstein When She Was Only 18

Mary Shelley wrote her most famous novel, Frankenstein, when she was only 18 years old, and it was published anonymously in 1818. The novel was the result of a bet made with her husband and their poet friend, Lord Byron, to write a ghost story. Frankenstein is considered a literary masterpiece and has been adapted into countless films, plays, and other forms of media.

3. She Wrote More than Just Frankenstein

In addition to Frankenstein, Mary Shelley wrote several other novels, short stories, essays, and biographies. Some of her other notable works include The Last Man, Valperga, and Lodore. Though none of her other works achieved the same level of fame as Frankenstein, they are still regarded as impressive examples of Gothic literature.

4. Shelley was a Science Fiction Pioneer

Although Frankenstein is often classified as Gothic horror, it is also considered one of the first science fiction novels. The story explores themes of artificial life, creation, and the perils of playing God. Shelley’s use of scientific language, as well as her interest in the latest scientific developments of her time, helped to establish the science fiction genre as we know it today.

5. Her Legacy Continues to Inspire

Mary Shelley’s writing continues to captivate readers today, more than 200 years after her death. Her works have inspired countless adaptations, from stage plays and movies to comic books and music. Her dedication to writing has paved the way for many women in literature, and her legacy continues to encourage the pursuit of creativity and self-expression.

Conclusion

Mary Shelley’s life and writing were more than just Gothic horror. She weathered personal tragedies, wrote multiple novels, pioneered the science fiction genre, and inspired generations of writers. Mary Shelley’s legacy continues to live on through her groundbreaking and thought-provoking work.