Frankenstein: Contested Classics

Mary Shelley was an English novelist, short story writer, and essayist best known for her groundbreaking novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The daughter of political philosopher William Godwin and feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley grew up in a highly intellectual environment, which greatly influenced her writing. Frankenstein, first published anonymously when Shelley was just 20 years old, is often considered one of the earliest examples of science fiction and remains a pivotal work in discussions of ethics, creativity, and the responsibilities of scientific advancement. Shelley continued to write throughout her life, producing several novels, short stories, and essays that explored themes of identity, politics, and the human condition.