Mary+Shelley

** English writer Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, is best known for her gothic novel Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus*. Shelley was born on the 30 August 1797 in London, to the feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and political philosopher William Godwin. At 11 days old the infant Mary lost her mother, leaving her father to look after her and her older half sister Fanny Imlay. When Mary was four Godwin married his neighbour, Mary Jane Clairmont. **
 * __Mary Shelley__ **

** At 16 she eloped with the married Percy Bysshe Shelley. Over the next few years death was ever present, late term miscarriages, the death of her half sister Fanny Ilmay and Percy’s first wife committed suicide. Leaving her with Percy Shelley and their only surviving child Percy Florence Shelley. **

** In May 1816, Mary Godwin, Percy Shelley and their son travelled to Geneva where Lord Byron joined them. In conversation, Byron dared them to write a story about the dead. That was when Mary had the idea of a deranged scientist standing beside a human-like figure of his own creation. The story became Frankenstein. **


 * The creature confronts his maker. **
 * * Prometheus son of Iapetus and Clymene. The name means ‘forethinker’ or ‘forethought’. **


 * By Niamh Meagher **