Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born on August 30, 1797, in London, England. In 1812, at just 15, she met Percy Bysshe Shelley and eloped with him in France the next year. Following Percy’s death in 1822, Mary devoted herself to publishing his works and writing several novels of her own. Out of the nine writings she released during her time, however, none is more well-known than Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus (1818). This gothic horror novel, which is often considered one of the first science fiction novels, follows a scientific genius who brings to life a terrifying monster that torments its creator.
In the centuries since its debut, Mary Shelley’s creation has been the subject of many analyses, movies, and pop culture, testifying heavily to the impact that this woman left on society. In our collection alone we have over 636 Frankenstein related books, movies, and articles!
Some notable choices are:
In Frankenstein’s Wake: Mary Shelley, Morality and Science Fiction (Alison Bedford)- Novel
This book offers a new perspective on Shelley and on science fiction, arguing that she both established a new discursive space for moral thinking and laid the groundwork for the genre of science fiction. Adopting a contextual biographical approach and undertaking a close reading of the 1818 and 1831 editions of the text give readers insight into how this story synthesizes many of the concerns about new science prevalent in Shelley’s time.
Frankenstein Lives On (Henk Van Den Belt)- Article in Science
Frankenstein's name is repeatedly invoked in debates about emerging technologies like biotech, nanotech, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. However, the view of Shelley's story as a cautionary tale about scientific hubris, although dominant, is only one possible interpretation.
Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night (Philip Smith)- Documentary
A drama-documentary telling the story of the celebrated gathering in Geneva, 1816 which led to the creation of both Frankenstein and the first modern vampire story.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel (Gary Reed)- Graphic Novel
Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist, has a great ambition: to create intelligent life. But when his creature first stirs, he realizes he has constructed a monster. Abandoned by its maker and shunned by everyone who sees it, the monster turns on its creator and haunts Dr. Frankenstein with murder and horrors to the very ends of the earth.
Post contribution by Rebekah Mauschbaugh
0 Comments.