Mary Shelley: Pioneer of Gothic Literature
Mary Shelley, portrait by Richard Rothwell, c. 1840
Mary Shelley (1797–1851) was an influential English novelist, best known as the author of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), a groundbreaking work often described as the first true science fiction novel.
Born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, she was the daughter of feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft and political philosopher William Godwin. She grew up in a radical intellectual environment that shaped her literary voice and revolutionary thinking.
At just 18 years old, Shelley conceived the idea of Frankenstein during a stay in Geneva with her future husband, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron. Her masterpiece explores themes of scientific ambition, human responsibility, and the dangers of playing God, making it a timeless text in Gothic literature and modern culture.
Beyond Frankenstein, Mary Shelley wrote several novels, including The Last Man (1826), a pioneering dystopian narrative. Today, she is remembered as a visionary female author in Romantic literature, whose legacy continues to inspire readers, scholars, and fans of Gothic and science fiction.
At Rambler Press, we celebrate Mary Shelley's contribution to 19th-century literature through our carefully crafted, hand-bound editions. Our limited edition publications honor the classical aesthetics and meticulous craftsmanship that complement Shelley's timeless works.
