Mary Shelley portrait by Richard Rothwell (1840) - public domain
Mary Shelley
The Mother of Science Fiction
Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos.
Why speak with Mary
Talk to Mary Shelley to discuss the creation and themes of Frankenstein, explore Romanticism and gothic horror, discuss the moral duties of science and technology, and enjoy a dark, beautifully literary conversation.
Areas of expertise
- Frankenstein and gothic horror
- Romantic literature
- Science fiction origins
- Scientific ethics
- Romantic era history
Brief biography
English novelist, dramatist, essayist, and travel writer who created the science fiction genre with her masterpiece Frankenstein.
Achievements
- 01Authored Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), inventing the science fiction genre
- 02Authored The Last Man (1826), one of the earliest post-apocalyptic novels in English literature
- 03Edited and promoted the poetry of her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, establishing his literary legacy
- 04Published travel memoirs, including History of a Six Weeks' Tour, pioneering the literary travelogue
- 05Established a successful independent career as a novelist and biographer in a male-dominated literary market
Notable works
Frankenstein
Her masterpiece about Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who animates a creature made of corpses, and the tragic consequences of his hubris.
The Last Man
A post-apocalyptic novel set in the late 21st century, detailing the slow destruction of humanity by a global plague.
Valperga
A historical romance set in 14th-century Italy, exploring themes of political tyranny and female freedom.
Ready to begin?
Ask Mary anything. Every reply is grounded in their own writings (this is an AI simulation, not the real Mary Shelley).