In February 1818 Mary Godwin dreamed that her baby, who had recently died, came back to life through being rubbed in front of the fire.
Over a year later, she was staying in Switzerland with her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friends Lord Byron and Dr Polidori.
Over a year later, she was staying in Switzerland with her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friends Lord Byron and Dr Polidori.
One night the four decided to have a competition as to who could write the best ghost story. All started work except Mary Godwin, who was unable to think of a storyline. Desperate for inspiration, one night she had another dream; of a scientist who creates life and is horrified by the thing he has made.This was the foundation of "Frankenstein."
Mary Shelley (as she soon became) was also influenced by the scientific ideas of the period regarding galvanism (to stimulate by or as if by electricity.) There was much speculation as to whether it might be possible to bring the dead back to life through an electrical charge; the Shelleys and their friends had often discussed theories like this before Mary had her dream.
