Mary Wollstonecraft grew up in a financially unstable home dominated by domestic abuse. She was constantly denied the right to further education and decided to support herself as a professional writer of political and philosophical issues. She fought for women's rights and was therefore described as a feminist. The absence of a strong women in the story Frankenstein, suggests that Mary Shelley felt the absence of a feminine role-model and mother-figure. For example, Elizabeth is orphaned, Justine lacks the ability to communicate without the help of a dominant male and Caroline Beaufort dies of scarlet fever because she is motherly and continues to take care of her daughter, Elizabeth with the acknowledgment of her sickness.

William Godwin was born into a family of religious members of a non-established church. He earned a living as a writer and produced many historical and educational works. William Godwin provided Mary Shelley with much education. He attempt to deliver to her a "higher intellectual experience" than most women in that time period. Many of the characters in the novel Frankenstein have similar traits to Shelley and her father. A thirst for knowledge and the conduction of scientific experiments. Frankenstein's desire to learn and determination to create life, the monsters immediate ability to acquire information and analyze situations shows the importance of education to Mary Shelley.

Doctor Darwin (grandfather of the well known Charles Darwin) was a natural philosopher, physiologist, inventor and poet. Darwin became famous after his work on the theory of evolution. He created a method that DNA itself can move, from something lifeless. After listening to discussions of Dr. Darwin amongst the writers in Geneva, Mary Shelley was inspired and interested in this new science.

Percy Bysshe Shelley was the husband of Mary Shelley. He was one of the major English Romantic poets. He passed away July 8th, 1822. Originally, Mary Shelley had the intent of writing a short story, but her husband persuaded her to write a full-length novel. Percy Shelley wrote the preface for the original novel. After the immediate success of the novel Shelley printed more copies, revealing her name as the author. Percy Shelley's constant support and encouragement inspired Mary Shelley to believe in herself and her capability. 

Tragedy
Mary Shelley's life was peppered with tragedy. Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft passed away 10 days after her birth. Shelley suffered the losses of her three children at a very young age. She then went on to learn about the suicide her sister had committed at the age of 22. Shelley goes on to be childless for the next "five hateful months" of her life, until her only surviving child is born, Percy Florence. Finally, Mary Shelley's husband, Percy Shelley drowns in a boating accident at the age of 29. Not only is it the familiarity Shelley has with death the inspiration of Frankenstein, but also it is the desire to bring back her loved ones that she expresses in the novel. Shelley's description of the monster awakening reads more like a wish, than a realty. "He sleeps; but he is awakened; he opens his eyes; behold".

Castle Frankenstien

The 13th-century, Castle Frankenstein located in the Odenwald Mountains. It is said that the castle was a place where reviving corpses was a constant experiment. Johann Dippel claimed to have discovered an “elixir of life.” He worked with oils and potions collected from animal flesh and bones. Some believe this tale was part of the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s creation of Frankenstein. However, it is unclear whether Shelley knew about the Castle Frankenstein.