MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT GODWIN SHELLEY 1797 1851 Biographical Background

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT GODWIN SHELLEY 1797 - 1851

Biographical Background • Daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft: • Republican ideals • Feminist for women’s education and independence • Died about 11 days after birth of Mary • And William Godwin: • Egalitarian state, free of laws and government, organized in small communities where individuals work and study daily • Both were strongly against legalized marriage and only married five months before Mary’s birth

Mary Wollstonecraft (mother) • In 1786, published her first work: Thoughts on the Education of Daughters, based on her experience in a school for young women • Through her publisher she met a circle of leading radicals in the day: Thomas Paine, William Godwin, Henry Fuseli, William Blake • In 1792, she published Vindication of the Rights of Women

William Godwin (father) • Godwin is the most famous for two books that he published within the space of a year: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, an attack on political institutions, and “Things as They Never Are, or The Adventures of Caleb Williams, which attacks aristocratic privilege, but is also the first mystery novel • He wrote children’s primers on Biblical and classical themes • He also has had considerable influence on British literature and literary culture

William Godwin (father) • Godwin is most famous for two books that he published within the space of a year: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, an attack on political institutions; and Things as They Are, or The Adventures of Caleb Williams, which attacks aristocratic privilege, but is also the first mystery novel • He wrote children’s primers on Biblical and classical themes • He also has had considerable influence on British literature and literary culture

• Wollstonecraft gave birth to her second daughter – Mary • 11 days later, Wollstonecraft died from a fever contracted during childbirth • Mary Godwin eventually became Mary Shelley • Mary published her first poem at the age of 11 • Mary heard Coleridge recite “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” when she was a child

• She ran away with married Percy Shelley to France and Switzerland, pregnant and disgraced • She wrote Frankenstein at 19 • Percy’s wife committed suicide and immediately he and Mary were married • However, because of their relationship and Percy’s religious views, they were denied custody of his first two children • Percy died in a boating accident in 1822, leaving Mary with no money and no family connections (his father had disowned him)

• Mary returned to England with her son, the only one of her four children to survive to adulthood • Her father-in-law allowed her to publish work, but she was not to use the Shelley name nor could she write Percy’s biography or risk losing his financial help • Mary published as “the Author who wrote Frankenstein, ” and made a living for herself and her son

• Mary longed for acceptance from her peers and the literary community; however, heritage of shame from her parents and husband followed her through the last of her life and she was never allowed the freedom to enjoy her place as a literary giant during her lifetime • After her father-in-law’s death, Mary was able to enjoy greater financial stability (her son inherited the estate) and the company of his family made her last few years much happier

Her Work • Mary wrote several novels and travel books • She also wrote short stories which were very popular; they were designed to compliment existing artwork and were compiled in volumes purchased by women who wished to expand their educations • Her primary goal was to continue her husband’s literary reputation by periodically revising and republishing collections of his work

Mary’s Legacy • Mary felt that she was fated to live up to the reputations, both good and bad, of her parents and husband she spent her life dealing with those stresses • She genuinely desired that some good come of the hardships she endured and never considered herself to be strong enough to change the world on her own as had her parents and husband