Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851)
Dr. Frankenstein’s scientific laboratory played a starring role in this classic tale. Often described as the first true science fiction story, Mary Shelley’s novel inspired readers to think about the role science might play in life and death. The concept of Galvanism and feasibility of returning a corpse or assembled body parts to life and knowledge of contemporary experiments of the eighteenth century inspired Mary Shelley to write this story.
Although Lehigh does not have a first edition of Frankenstein (1818), we do have a beautiful Limited Editions Club copy from 1934 with illustrations done by Everett Henry. Started in 1929, the Limited Editions Club published classic books with new illustrations. Only 1500 copies were printed and Lehigh has number 839.
Gift of Jeannette and David Green, ‘22