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Original Manuscript of 'Frankenstein'
Described by some as the first science fiction novel, ‘Frankenstein’ was written by Mary Shelley in 1817. The story of an ambitious doctor who created a monster is one of the most reproduced works ever written. There is no definitive number but there are thought to be up to 400 film adaptations with Frankenstein in the title, and there are numerous play adaptations of the gothic novel.
'Frankenstein', a name Mary made up, has even got its own description in the Oxford English Dictionary: '[a] thing that becomes terrifying or destructive to its maker.'
The story of Frankenstein came to Mary as she was in Italy with her husband Percy and Lord Byron. A competition was set to create the scariest ghost story. Mary came up with 'Frankenstein', the first folio of which is now in the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
Mary penned this folio under Percy’s name, which reflects the social mores of the day, and his notes can be seen in the margins. After a struggle to get the book published the novel was immediately successful upon publication.
Presenter Jules Hudson says: "Right here on this piece of paper is where the writer’s tale and character came to life."
Where can it be found? At the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
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