Today (30th August) is the Birthday of Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley (before marriage Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin), was born on 30th August 1797 in London. She was an English novelist best known for her groundbreaking work, 'Frankenstein'; or, 'The Modern Prometheus'. Mary was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the feminist author Mary Wollstonecraft,Mary Shelley's literary environment profoundly influenced her. When she was just 18, she wrote Frankenstein, a story of ambition, scientific exploration and the ethical implications of creating life. It was published in 1818 and it is often considered one of the first science fiction novels. Shelley continued to write novels, short stories, travelogues, and biographies, leaving a lasting legacy in the literary world. Her work remains a touchstone for discussions about humanity, morality, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
In 1814, Mary started her love affair with one of her father's political followers, famous romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married. Together with her step-sister, Mary and Percy left for France and travelled through Europe. When they returned to England, Mary was pregnant with Percy's child. Over the next two years, she and Percy faced ostracism, debt and the death of their prematurely-born daughter. They married in late 1816, after the suicide of Percy Shelley's wife, Harriet.
Even after a very long time of her death (1st February 1851), Mary Shelley was overshadowed by her late husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. But modern researchers are giving increasing importance to her literary talent.