On January 1, 1818, the London publishing house Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones published a book titled Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The publication did not name its author, but the book had an preface written by Percy Bysshe Shelley and a dedication to writer and philosopher William Godwin, so some readers assumed that the novel was authored by one of these men.
Eventually, the book’s popularity (bolstered by a theatrical adaptation titled Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein) occasioned a second edition, this time with the author’s name on the title page: Mary Shelley.
Since its early anonymous publication, Frankenstein has been subject to a variety of opinions, from high praise to criticism to skepticism–but two hundred years later, no one can deny the impact this work of science fiction has had on literature, culture, and even science fact. Dr. Frankenstein exemplified the image of the mad scientist whose commitment to discovery eclipses his humanity and becomes his downfall–a character concept that has been recreated to both tragic and comic effect in numerous adaptations. Dr. Frankenstein’s creature, much more powerful than the sum of his sewn-together parts, inspires contemporary criticism of the frightening amalgamations of our present (such as Frankenfoods and Frankenstorms). And as this daunting list of adaptations of Frankenstein on page and screen illustrates, there is something about this novel that still captures our imaginations.
The Rosenbach has been celebrating this momentous publication anniversary since October, when we opened Frankenstein & Dracula: Gothic Monsters, Modern Science. But this month, we join centers of literature, learning, and science around the world to honor Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking first novel and the influence it continues to have today. Until the Frankenstein & Dracula exhibition closes on February 11, you can view eleven pages of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein manuscript at the Rosenbach–the first and one of the only U.S. institutions to claim this honor. Make sure you see them before they return to the Bodleian Libraries.
While the exhibition will guide you through the story of the novel’s origins and Mary Shelley’s scientific explanations, there are many opportunities this month to read deeper and share this experience with other bibliophiles and gothic horror aficionados. For example, if you haven’t read Frankenstein since school, consider revisiting the novel in our Course, which will meet four Sundays starting January 7. Taught by Rosenbach public programs manager Edward G. Pettit, this Course will explore the creation of Mary Shelley’s book and engage other texts of the Romantic Age that grapple with the same scientific, theological, and aesthetic issues.
Frankenstein will be the focus of our monthly Bibliococktails party on Friday, January 12, where Quaker City Mercantile will debut a signature cocktail as we raise a glass to this novel.
This month we will have two theatrical performances. On January 17, we’ll premiere Mary Shelley, a solo performance created by Jennifer Summerfield and directed by Josh Hitchens. Mary Shelley focuses on the final day of the author’s life as she elicits her daughter-in-law’s help to preserve her memory and legacy, and discovers that there may be more than one way to tell the truth. On January 24, Goin Dark Theatre director Josh Hitchens returns to perform Frankenstein, a solo performance adapted from the novel itself.
Finally, on February 1, we bring a science historian, a literature scholar, and a biologist to a discussion moderated by a bioethicist. It’s Alive: Frankenstein in the Modern World will explore the reasons that Mary Shelley’s vision has had such a profound effect on our imagination and on the way we structure our understanding of the ethical and social implications of biotechnology.
Of course, a devoted reader’s exploration of Frankenstein need not stop there. Thanks major support from the B. H. Breslauer Foundation and generous gifts from Mark Samuels Lasner and Clarence Wolf, the Rosenbach collection includes rare first editions of many of Mary Shelley’s novels, from her first (Frankenstein) to her last (The Last Man); when the exhibition closes, these beautiful volumes may be viewed by appointment and perhaps in future programming. In addition, our partners in celebrating Frankenstein‘s bicentennial have released an interactive story experience based on the novel: Frankenstein200, brought to you by support from the National Science Foundation and the collaborative work of many national partners. This cutting-edge digital experience can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. We hope you enjoy it–and keep an eye out for our own contribution, drawn from our digital interactive in Frankenstein & Dracula.
