Who was Mary Shelley? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In August

Also Known As: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin

Died At Age: 53

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Percy Bysshe Shelley (m. 1816–1822)

father: William Godwin

mother: Mary Wollstonecraft

siblings: Charles Clairmont, Claire Clairmont, Fanny Imlay, William Godwin the Younger

children: Clara Everina Shelley, Percy Florence Shelley, William Shelley

Born Country: England

Novelists British Women

Died on: February 1, 1851

place of death: Chester Square, London, England

City: London, England

More Facts

awards: Nebula Award for Best Script - 1976
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation - 1975

Recommended For You

1

What inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley was inspired to write "Frankenstein" after having a nightmare during a trip to Switzerland with her husband, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron.
2

What impact did Mary Shelley's Frankenstein had?

Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" is considered a pioneering work of science fiction and has had a significant impact on literature and popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations in various forms of media.
3

What themes are explored in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein?

Themes such as the consequences of playing God, the nature of humanity, and the pursuit of knowledge are explored in Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein."
4

How did Mary Shelley's personal experiences influence her writing of Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley's personal experiences, including the loss of her children and the deaths of loved ones, influenced the themes of creation, loss, and the consequences of unchecked ambition in her writing of "Frankenstein."
5

What was the initial reception of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein?

Initially, Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" received mixed reviews but gained popularity over time and is now considered a classic of Gothic literature.

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Childhood & Early Life

Mary Shelley was born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin on 30 August 1797, in Somers Town, London, to writer and philosopher William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. She had a half-sister named Fanny Imlay and they were raised by William Godwin after the death of their mother.

Later, her father married Mary Jane Clairmont who is believed to have been biased. She did not advocate Mary’s education. However, Shelley managed to educate herself informally with the books her father’s library had.

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British Novelists

Career

She also had the opportunity to be with literary stalwarts like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who visited Godwin’s house when she was a child. She indulged in writing when she wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of life. Her first poem ‘Mounseer Nongtongpaw’ was published in the year 1808.

In 1812, she visited her father’s acquaintance William Baxter’s house in Scotland where she experienced homely environment which she had never felt before. She visited his place again the following year.

In 1816, inspired by the company of Lord Byron and Polidori, which she had during the vacation at Geneva, Switzerland, Mary Shelley began to draft her first novel ‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.’

In 1817, this writer released a travelogue titled ‘History of a Six Weeks Tour’ based on her sojourn in Europe. Around the same time, she continued to work on her horror novel.

‘Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus’ was published in 1818. Though it was Mary Shelley’s novel, readers thought it to be her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley’s creation as the introduction to the novel was written by him. Soon after its release, the novel became a bestseller. The same year, the Shelleys traveled to Italy.

After her husband’s tragic demise, she returned to England and took to writing in order to earn a living. In 1823, she published her historical novel ‘Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca.’

In 1826, she penned ‘The Last Man’ which is an apocalyptic science fiction novel. She published few other novels, such as ‘The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck: A Romance,’ ‘Lodore,’ and ‘Falkner.’

She even worked towards protecting and upholding her husband’s literary pieces and position in the literary world. ‘Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley’ and ‘The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley’ were published by Mary Shelley after the death of her husband P. B. Shelley.

This writer also wrote some articles for publications, such as ‘The Westminster Review’ and ‘The Keepsake.’ Her travelogue ‘Rambles in Germany and Italy’ was published in the year 1844.

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‘Mathilda’ was her second novel, but it was published posthumously, after nearly a century, in the year 1959. This novel encompasses the themes of suicide and incest.

Major Works

Her first novel met with immense success soon after it was published. It remains a renowned literary piece till date. There have been many stage and screen adaptations of this novel.

Her other novels, such as ‘The Last Man’ and ‘Mathilda’ are also regarded as works of literary significance. All her works deal with different themes and have been regarded by many as great literary pieces.

Personal Life & Legacy

Mary and writer Percy Bysshe Shelley began a relationship in the year 1814 when Percy Bysshe Shelley was already married to Harriet. Mary and Percy’s relationship was not accepted by Godwin and the couple along with Mary’s half-sister Claire Clairmont moved to France.

The couple faced a lot of problems including financial difficulties which forced them to return to England. By the time they returned to England, Mary was already pregnant with Percy Bysshe Shelley’s child. In 1815, their child was born but did not live long. The following year, they traveled to Geneva along with Claire Clairmont, and were accompanied by Lord Byron and Polidori during their vacation at Geneva.

In 1816, Mary was grieved by her half-sister Fanny’s death and Percy’s wife Harriet also committed suicide the same year.

In December 1816, Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley got married. However, the couple did not have an easy life as their life was shrouded with tragedies.

They suffered the loss of three children and the fourth child Percy Florence was the only one to survive into adulthood. Mary was struck with another blow when her husband P. B. Shelley met with a tragic death in the year 1822.

This author breathed her last on 1 February 1851 at Chester Square after suffering from a long-term illness. She was suffering from brain tumor as stated by the doctors. Her final resting place is at St. Peter’s church in Bournemouth, England.

Facts About Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley, best known for her novel "Frankenstein," was a prolific writer who also published several other novels, short stories, and essays during her lifetime.

Mary Shelley was the daughter of famous feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft and political philosopher William Godwin, and she grew up surrounded by influential thinkers and writers.

Mary Shelley eloped with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, embarking on a tumultuous and unconventional relationship that greatly influenced her writing.

Mary Shelley was a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, using her platform as a writer to address issues such as women's rights, education, and the treatment of the poor.

Mary Shelley's legacy extends beyond "Frankenstein," as she was also a pioneer in the science fiction genre and a key figure in the Romantic literary movement.

Mary Shelley Biography

You wanted to know

What inspired Mary Shelley to write Frankenstein?

What impact did Mary Shelley's Frankenstein had?

What themes are explored in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein?

How did Mary Shelley's personal experiences influence her writing of Frankenstein?

What was the initial reception of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein?