Mary Shelley was an English novelist, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein. Born in 1797, Shelley was the daughter of the renowned philosopher William Godwin and the feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft. She was raised by her father after her mother died shortly after her birth. Shelley was an avid reader and writer from a young age, and her first novel, Frankenstein, was published in 1818. Shelley's work was heavily influenced by the Romantic movement, and her writing often explored themes of love, death, and the power of nature. She was also a passionate advocate for social reform, and her works often addressed issues of gender, class, and politics. Shelley's other works include Valperga, The Last Man, and Mathilda. Shelley's life was marked by tragedy, including the death of her first child and her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Despite these hardships, she continued to write and publish her work, and her legacy has endured for centuries. Today, Mary Shelley is remembered as one of the most influential writers of the Romantic era, and her work continues to inspire readers around the world.