Frankenstein, finished by Mary Shelley early in…
March 1818 CE
Frankenstein, finished by Mary Shelley early in the summer of 1817, had been published anonymously in January 1818.
Reviewers and readers assume that Percy Shelley is the author, since the book had been published with his preface and dedicated to his political hero William Godwin.
Infused with some elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement, Frankenstein is also considered to be one of the earliest examples of science fiction.
The story is partially based on Giovanni Aldini's electrical experiments on dead and (sometimes) living animals and is also a warning against the expansion of modern humans in the Industrial Revolution, alluded to in its subtitle, The Modern Prometheus.
It will have a considerable influence across literature and popular culture and spawn a complete genre of horror stories and films.
The threat of a debtor's prison, combined with their ill health and fears of losing custody of their children, contribute to the couple's decision to leave England for Italy on March 12, 1818, taking Claire Clairmont and Alba with them.
They have no intention of returning.