Hands-On Tour: Villa Diodati, the Summer of Monsters

Date / Time

  • June 20, 2019
    6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Location

2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, United States

In June of 1816, Mary Godwin, Percy Shelley and Mary’s stepsister, Claire Clairmont joined Lord Byron and his doctor John Polidori at a rented villa on Lake Geneva. Eighteen-year-old Mary had eloped with the already married poet Percy the year before, and Byron had fled England in disgrace. Cold, stormy weather kept the young people cloistered for long nights of ghost stories and scientific speculation. From this alembic of romance, scandal, science, and horror, Mary dreamed up Frankenstein and Polidori began the first vampire story in English fiction. Explore the creation of these immortal monsters with first editions and manuscripts born by the shores of Lake Geneva at the Rosenbach’s Villa Diodati Hands-on Tour. After the tour stay for Continuing The Conversation to discuss the program with our curators while enjoying light refreshments.

About Hands-On Tours

Hands-On Tours allow you unparalleled access to rare and important items that are not usually on view to the public. See all upcoming Hands-On Tours here. Space is limited and advance registration is strongly recommended.