The Legacy of Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin on August 30, 1797, in London, is best remembered for her groundbreaking novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. This 19th-century British writer led a life marked by tragedy, intellectual restlessness, and a prolific creative mind. Though she is celebrated primarily for Frankenstein, Shelley’s legacy extends far beyond her most famous work, encompassing a diverse literary career that has cemented her place as one of the most influential figures in English literature. Mary Shelley was born into an intellectually vibrant household. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a prominent philosopher and advocate for women's rights, while her father, William Godwin, was a political philosopher and writer. Sadly, her mother died of complications shortly after Mary’s birth, leaving her to be raised by her father, who nurtured her with a rich education in literature and philosophy. This intellectual environment helped foster Mary’s early passion for writing.

At the age of 16, Mary met the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was unhappily married to Harriet Westbrook at the time. Despite the complexities of Percy’s personal life—Harriet was pregnant with their second child—Mary and Percy quickly fell in love, sharing deep intellectual and philosophical interests. Their relationship ignited a scandal, as the two eloped to Europe in 1814, accompanied by Mary’s stepsister, Claire Clairmont. This defiance of social norms marked the beginning of a dramatic chapter in Mary’s life, one filled with personal and financial struggles. Mary and Percy Shelley’s life together was tumultuous. They faced financial difficulties, as Percy had been disinherited due to his unconventional behavior and radical beliefs. The couple frequently moved to escape creditors and the judgmental eyes of society. They also endured profound personal losses. In 1816, Mary’s half-sister, Fanny Imlay, passed away, and that same year, Percy’s estranged wife, Harriet, tragically drowned herself in London.

The summer of 1816, however, would prove to be a defining moment for Mary Shelley. The couple, along with Lord Byron, John Polidori, and Claire Clairmont, spent a cold, stormy summer in Switzerland, often confined indoors due to the unusual weather conditions brought on by the eruption of Mount Tambora. During this "Year Without a Summer," the group entertained themselves by reading ghost stories. Inspired by these tales, Lord Byron proposed that each of them write their own horror story.

Initially struggling to come up with an idea, Mary was soon struck by a vivid dream in which she imagined a young scientist giving life to a creature made from dead matter, only to recoil in horror at what he had created. This dream would become the seed for her masterpiece, Frankenstein. In January 1818, Frankenstein was published anonymously by a small London press. The novel was initially attributed to Percy Shelley, largely due to his involvement in writing the preface and his notoriety as a poet. Despite its modest initial print run, the novel quickly gained attention—both praise and criticism—for its dark, gothic themes and exploration of humanity's pursuit of power over nature.

The 1831 edition of Frankenstein included a detailed introduction by Mary Shelley, in which she revealed herself as the true author and described the novel's origins in greater detail. This version remains the most widely known today.

Frankenstein is renowned for its complex themes, addressing the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, the ethics of creation, and the isolation experienced by both the creator and his creation. The novel's exploration of these themes places it among the earliest works of science fiction, blending elements of Romanticism and Enlightenment thought, which often grapple with the tension between reason and emotion, nature and science. While Frankenstein is Mary Shelley's most famous work, she wrote several other novels, including Matilda (1819), Valperga (1823), and The Last Man (1826), as well as short stories, essays, and biographies. Her writing often reflected the social, political, and ethical concerns of her time, showcasing her deep engagement with the issues of her era. Shelley was also an integral figure within the Romantic literary circle, which included notable poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Keats.

After Percy’s tragic death in 1822, Mary devoted herself to preserving his literary legacy, editing and publishing his works posthumously. Despite receiving little recognition during her lifetime, Mary Shelley’s contributions to literature and her influence as a pioneering female writer have only grown with time. Mary Shelley passed away on February 1, 1851, in London at the age of 53, following a battle with a brain tumor. Though she was not fully appreciated during her lifetime, her legacy has since flourished. Frankenstein is now celebrated as a cornerstone of Gothic fiction and science fiction, influencing countless works in literature, film, and popular culture.

Her life and works continue to resonate, offering a profound commentary on human ambition, the ethics of creation, and the boundaries of scientific inquiry. Today, Mary Shelley stands as not only a literary giant but also a pioneer for women in science fiction, with her groundbreaking novel still echoing in both academic and popular circles.

In the words of her immortal creation, Frankenstein’s monster, Mary Shelley has “bestowed animation” not just upon a character, but upon the very genre of science fiction itself, forever altering the landscape of literature.