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Mary Shelley, born Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin on August 30, 1797, in London, England, was a pioneering English novelist best known for her groundbreaking work Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818). As the daughter of renowned feminist and philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft and political journalist William Godwin, she was raised in an intellectually stimulating environment that profoundly influenced her literary career. Tragically, her mother died just days after giving birth, leaving Mary to be raised by her father and later her stepmother, with whom she had a strained relationship.

In 1814, at the age of 16, Mary began a passionate relationship with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married at the time. Their elopement to France sparked controversy and alienated her from her father. The couple faced numerous personal challenges, including the loss of their first child shortly after birth and financial difficulties. During a summer spent with Lord Byron in 1816 near Lake Geneva, they engaged in a ghost story writing contest that inspired Mary to write Frankenstein, a novel that explores themes of creation, ambition, and the consequences of defying nature.

Mary Shelley published several other notable works throughout her life, including Valperga (1823), The Last Man (1826), Lodore (1835), and Falkner (1837). After Percy’s tragic death in 1822, she dedicated herself to preserving his literary legacy while raising their only surviving son, Percy Florence Shelley. Despite facing financial struggles and health issues later in life, she continued to write until her death on February 1, 1851. Mary’s contributions to literature have left an indelible mark on the genres of Gothic fiction and science fiction, establishing her as a foundational figure in both fields.