Mary Shelley: The Woman Who Created a Monster and Defined an Era

21 October 2025

Paul Francis

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Few writers have left a mark on culture as deep as Mary Shelley. Her name has become inseparable from one of literature’s most enduring creations: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Written before her twenty-first birthday, it changed not just Gothic fiction but the way we think about science, ambition and the boundaries of creation.

Portrait of Mary Shelley with dark hair, wearing an off-shoulder dress, set against a dark background. Her expression is calm and serene.

Yet Shelley’s legacy reaches far beyond her famous novel. She was a thinker shaped by revolution, love, loss and intellectual curiosity. Her life reads like a story of its own: a tale of genius, tragedy and quiet resilience in an age when women writers were rarely taken seriously.

A Legacy That Still Lives

More than two hundred years after Frankenstein was first published in 1818, its questions still feel modern. What does it mean to create life? When does progress become hubris? The story’s blend of science, morality and human emotion continues to inspire countless adaptations in film, theatre and art.

Shelley’s influence extends far beyond horror. Many scholars credit her as one of the founding figures of modern science fiction, a writer who understood that new technologies would not only change the world but challenge the human heart.

Her creation has become part of the collective imagination, but behind it stood a young woman navigating grief, love, scandal and the expectations of a society that never quite knew what to make of her.

Early Life: Born Into Ideas

Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was born in London in 1797 to remarkable parents. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a pioneering feminist thinker and author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Her father, William Godwin, was a radical philosopher known for his ideas on justice and liberty.

Her mother died shortly after giving birth, leaving Mary to be raised by Godwin, who encouraged her education and allowed her access to his vast library. She grew up surrounded by the leading intellectuals of the day, absorbing ideas about politics, philosophy and art from an early age.

By the time she was a teenager, Mary was already drawn to writing. Her father’s home became a gathering place for poets and radicals, and it was there that she met the young Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Their meeting would alter both of their lives.

A Scandalous Romance and a Restless Mind

In 1814, when Mary was sixteen, she and Percy began a relationship that shocked London’s literary circles. He was already married, and their elopement to Europe caused a public scandal. They lived as outcasts for years, moving between England, France, Switzerland and Italy, always chasing inspiration and fleeing judgement.

The couple endured extraordinary hardship. Several of their children died in infancy, leaving Mary consumed by grief. Yet she continued to write, often in the margins of their turbulent lives. Her journals from this period show both her emotional depth and her growing intellectual independence.

The Birth of Frankenstein

A somber person with facial stitches and bolts in a dim lab with candles and a sparking machine, wearing a distressed black outfit.

The summer of 1816 would change everything. Staying at a villa near Lake Geneva with Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and others, the group found themselves trapped indoors by stormy weather. To pass the time, Byron proposed that everyone write a ghost story.

For days, Mary wrestled with ideas. One night, after a conversation about electricity and reanimation, she had a vivid waking dream of a scientist who created life and recoiled in horror at what he had made. That image became the seed of Frankenstein.

She began writing soon after, and by 1818, the novel was published anonymously in London. Many assumed the author was Percy Shelley. When Mary’s name was added to the second edition, readers were stunned to discover that one of the darkest and most profound novels of the age had been written by a young woman.

The book’s success was immediate, but controversial. Some praised its imagination and philosophical depth; others dismissed it as morbid. Over time, it would come to define an entire genre.

Life After Frankenstein

Tragedy continued to shape Mary’s life. Her half-sister and close friend both died by suicide, and in 1822, Percy Shelley drowned in a boating accident off the coast of Italy. Mary was twenty-four and left alone with their only surviving child, Percy Florence Shelley.

In the years after her husband’s death, she turned to writing both to support herself and to process her grief. Although Frankenstein remained her most famous work, she produced a series of thoughtful novels that explored love, loss, and resilience.

Her 1826 novel The Last Man imagined a future world devastated by plague and isolation. It was one of the earliest works of post-apocalyptic fiction, though it was not widely appreciated at the time. Critics found it bleak and strange, but modern readers see it as visionary.

Other novels, such as Lodore (1835) and Falkner (1837), examined family relationships, morality and the struggles of women in a society that constrained them. These works never achieved the fame of Frankenstein, but they showed Mary’s range as a writer and her commitment to moral and emotional truth.

She also wrote essays, short stories, and travel books such as Rambles in Germany and Italy (1844), which revealed her sharp observation and political awareness.

A Quiet Strength

Mary Shelley lived through loss that would have broken many. She buried her mother, children, husband and several close friends before reaching middle age. Yet she continued to write, edit and advocate for the preservation of her husband’s poetry.

She was respected but not wealthy, admired by some but underestimated by many. Victorian society still viewed her through the lens of Frankenstein and her association with Percy Shelley. She worked tirelessly to establish her own reputation, even as she battled poor health.

Illness and Final Years

In her later years, Mary suffered from severe headaches and episodes of paralysis, possibly caused by a brain tumour. These conditions made writing increasingly difficult. Despite this, she continued to correspond with friends and literary figures, and remained devoted to her son.

She died in London in 1851, aged fifty-three. Her son and daughter-in-law buried her in St Peter’s Church, Bournemouth, near the remains of her parents.

Among her belongings, they found a small parcel wrapped in silk containing her late husband’s heart.

The Enduring Influence of Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s life was extraordinary: part love story, part tragedy, part revolution in thought. She gave the world one of its most haunting stories, written at a time when women were rarely allowed to speak, let alone create monsters.

Her work bridged the Romantic and modern eras, asking what it means to be human in a world reshaped by science. More than two centuries later, Frankenstein still feels alive, a story that refuses to die, just like the creature she imagined on that stormy night by the lake.

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From Accidental Discovery to Culinary Delight: The Fascinating Origins of Cheese

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Cheese is a staple in cuisines around the world, revered for its diverse flavours, textures, and culinary versatility. This beloved dairy product boasts a history as rich and varied as the myriad types we enjoy today. From its accidental discovery to its place in modern gastronomy, the journey of cheese is a tale of human ingenuity, cultural evolution, and culinary artistry.

Accidental Beginnings in the Neolithic Era

The origins of cheese began in the Neolithic era, around 10,000 years ago, shortly after the domestication of sheep and goats. Early humans, storing milk in animal stomachs, inadvertently discovered that it curdled and separated into curds and whey. This serendipitous event laid the foundation for cheese-making, transforming perishable milk into a more durable and portable food source.

Archaeological evidence from around 5500 BCE, found in the region of modern-day Poland, includes pottery with milk-fat residues, indicating early cheese production. These primitive cheese-makers had tapped into a process that would evolve and spread across civilisations.

Ancient Civilisations and the Spread of Cheese

Cheese-making was well established in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt by 3000 BCE. In Egypt, tomb murals from around 2000 BCE depict the cheese-making process, including straining and pressing curds. These early cheeses were simple and utilitarian, providing a vital source of nutrition.

The Greeks and Romans further refined cheese-making techniques. Greek literature, such as Homer's "The Odyssey," mentions cheese, reflecting its importance in ancient diets. The Romans, known for their culinary innovations, spread their cheese-making knowledge throughout their empire, laying the groundwork for many modern European cheeses.

Medieval Monasteries: The Cradle of Cheese Innovation

During the Middle Ages, European monasteries became centres of cheese production and innovation. Monks in regions like France, Switzerland, and Italy developed classic cheeses such as Roquefort, Brie, and Parmesan. These monastic communities experimented with ageing, flavouring, and preservation methods, contributing to the rich diversity of cheese we know today.

Regional specialities flourished, influenced by local climates, flora, and fauna. For instance, Swiss Emmental cheese, known for its distinctive holes, and England's Cheddar became iconic regional products.

The Renaissance to Industrial Revolution: Refinement and Expansion

The Renaissance period brought further refinement in cheese-making techniques, while the Age of Exploration introduced cheese to the New World. European settlers carried their cheese-making traditions across the Atlantic, planting the seeds for American cheese production.

The 19th-century Industrial Revolution transformed cheese-making. The first cheese factory opened in Switzerland in 1815, followed by the first American cheese factory in 1851, established by Jesse Williams in New York. Mass production techniques standardised cheese quality and made it widely accessible.

Scientific Advancements and Modern Cheese-Making

Advances in microbiology by scientists like Louis Pasteur revolutionised cheese production. Pasteurisation improved safety and consistency, while the development of commercial rennet and controlled bacterial cultures enhanced flavour and texture. These innovations paved the way for the vast array of cheeses available today.

Cheese Today: A Global Culinary Treasure

In the 20th century, cheese-making spread globally, with countries developing their unique varieties. Despite the rise of industrial production, there has been a resurgence of interest in artisanal and farmstead cheeses. Cheese enthusiasts now seek out traditional methods and unique flavours, supporting sustainable practices and local economies.

Regions renowned for their cheese heritage, such as France and Italy, continue to protect and celebrate their cheese-making traditions. The cultural significance of cheese is reflected in its prominent role in cuisines worldwide, from simple snacks to gourmet dishes.

A Culinary Journey Through Time

From its humble beginnings as a happy accident to its status as a culinary delight, cheese has evolved into a complex and cherished food. Each variety tells a story of the region and the people who created it, making cheese not just a food, but a cultural artifact. As we enjoy a slice of Gouda or a wedge of Stilton, we partake in a rich history that spans millennia, connecting us to the ancient past and the innovative present.

Cheese, in its myriad forms, continues to captivate and delight, a testament to the enduring human spirit of innovation and creativity. So, the next time you savour your favourite cheese, remember the incredible journey it has taken to reach your plate—a journey that continues to evolve with each delicious bite.