Mary Shelley (1797-1851) was an English writer. She is best known for her gothic novel 'Frankenstein'. The first edition of 'Frankenstein' was published when Shelley was only 20 years old. Shelley didn't attend school, but was educated by her father and a governess. Both of her parents, William Goldwin and Mary Wollenstonecraft, were notable thinkers of their time.