Common questions about Mary Shelley

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Mary Shelley born and who was her mother?

Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin was born on the 30th of August 1797. Her mother was the radical feminist philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft, who died of puerperal fever eleven days after giving birth to her.

When did Mary Shelley elope with Percy Bysshe Shelley and where did they go?

Mary Godwin and Percy Shelley eloped on the 28th of July 1814. They secretly left for France and traveled through war-ravaged regions to reach Switzerland.

When and where did Mary Shelley conceive the idea for Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley conceived the idea for Frankenstein between 2am and 3am on the 16th of June 1816 at Lord Byron's villa in Geneva. This occurred during a summer of storms caused by the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora.

When did Mary Shelley marry Percy Bysshe Shelley and why was the marriage necessary?

Mary Shelley married Percy Bysshe Shelley on the 30th of December 1816 at St Mildred's Church in London. The marriage was necessary because Percy Shelley's lawyers advised him to improve his case to assume custody of his children from his first wife, Harriet Shelley.

When did Mary Shelley die and where was she buried?

Mary Shelley died on the 1st of February 1851 at Chester Square in London. She was buried at St Peter's Church in Bournemouth near her son's home at Boscombe.