Today, August 30th, marks the birthday of one of the most influential figures in literary history, Mary Shelley.
Born in 1797, Mary Shelley is best known as the author of Frankenstein, a novel that not only pioneered the genre of science fiction but also explored profound themes of creation, ambition, and the ethical limits of scientific inquiry. On this special day, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring impact of her work.
“It is not singular that, as the daughter of two persons of distinguished literary celebrity, I should very early in life have thought of writing.” (Mary Shelley, Preface to Frankenstein, 1831))
A Remarkable Beginning
Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was born into an intellectual and politically radical family. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a pioneering feminist thinker, best known for her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, while her father, William Godwin, was a prominent philosopher and novelist. Wollstonecraft died shortly after Mary’s birth, leaving her daughter to grow up under the care of her father and stepmother.
From a young age, Mary was surrounded by ideas of revolution, reform, and the power of the written word. She was an avid reader, often consuming the works of classical authors, as well as the scientific and philosophical texts of her time. Visitors to the Godwin home included William Hazlitt, Thomas Lawrence, and the Samuel Taylor Coleridge (and later, of course, Percy Bysshe Shelley). This rich intellectual environment undoubtedly shaped her imaginative mind and set the stage for her future literary achievements.
“My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed - my dearest pleasure when free.”
The Birth of Frankenstein
The story of how Frankenstein came to be written is as legendary as the novel itself. In the summer of 1816, Mary and her lover (and later husband) Percy Bysshe Shelley traveled to Lake Geneva, Switzerland, where they stayed with the famous poet Lord Byron and his physician, John Polidori. The weather was unusually stormy for the time of year, and on one 'dark and stormy night', Byron suggested that each of them write a ghost story.
"The season was cold and rainy, and in the evenings we crowded around a blazing wood fire, and occasionally amused ourselves with some German stories of ghosts, which happened to fall into our hands. These tales excited in us a playful desire of imitation. Two other friends (a tale from the pen of one of whom would be far more acceptable to the public than any thing I can ever hope to produce) and myself agreed to write each a story, founded on some supernatural occurrence." (Mary Shelley, Mary Shelley, Preface to Frankenstein,1818)
Mary, inspired by a “waking dream” she experienced during one of those stormy nights, began to craft the tale of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with creating life, and the tragic consequences of his ambition. The result was Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, published in 18
18 when Mary was just 20 years old. The novel, which blends ele"ments of Gothic horror and Romanticism, is often considered the first true science fiction story, a genre that would go on to explore the ethical implications of scientific and technological advancement.
"I saw—with shut eyes, but acute mental vision—I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy, half vital motion." (Mary Shelley, Preface to Frankenstein, 1831)
A Legacy Beyond Frankenstein
While Frankenstein is undoubtedly Mary Shelley’s most famous work, it is by no means her only contribution to literature. Throughout her life, she wrote several other novels, including Valperga (1823), The Last Man (1826), and Lodore (1835). The Last Man, in particular, is noteworthy for its dystopian vision of a future world ravaged by plague—a theme that resonates with modern audiences.
Mary also penned numerous short stories, essays, and travel writings. She was a dedicated editor and champion of her husband Percy’s poetry after his untimely death in 1822. Her editorial efforts helped preserve and promote his work, securing his place in the pantheon of great Romantic poets.
Mary Shelley’s Enduring Influence
Mary Shelley’s influence extends far beyond her literary output. As a woman writer in the early 19th century, she broke barriers and defied societal expectations. Her works grapple with issues of identity, gender, power, and the human condition, making her a precursor to later feminist and existentialist writers.
Frankenstein has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless adaptations in film, theater, and other media. The novel’s themes of unchecked ambition, the dangers of playing god, and the ethical responsibilities of creators are as relevant today as they were two centuries ago.
A Timeless Icon
As we celebrate Mary Shelley’s birthday, we honor not just the creator of Frankenstein, but a visionary thinker whose ideas continue to resonate in our contemporary world. Her legacy is a testament to the enduring power of imagination, and the ability of literature to explore the deepest questions of human existence. Happy Birthday, Mary Shelley—you are truly a literary icon for the ages.
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