Victor Frankenstein is an Italian-Swiss scientist (born in Naples, Italy) who, after studying chemical processes and the decay of living things, gains an insight into the creation of life and gives life to his own creature (often referred to as Frankenstein’s monster, or often colloquially referred to as simply “Frankenstein”). Victor later regrets meddling with nature through his creation, as he inadvertently endangers his own life and the lives of his family and friends when the creature seeks revenge against him. He is first introduced in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus when he is seeking to catch the monster near the North Pole and is saved from near death by Robert Walton and his crew. In a flashback to the University of Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Frankenstein develops a fondness for chemistry, and within two years, his commitment and scientific ability allow him to make discoveries that earn him admiration at the university. He then becomes curious about the nature of life and his studies lead him to a miraculous discovery that enables him to create life in inanimate matter. Assembling a humanoid creature through ambiguous means, Frankenstein successfully brings it to life, but he is horrified by the creature’s ugliness. He flees from his creation, who disappears and, after several negative encounters with the locals, swears revenge on his creator. Frankenstein is wracked with guilt but does not come forward with the truth because he thinks no one will believe his story, and he is afraid of the reactions such a story would provoke. The creature approaches Frankenstein and begs him to create a female companion for him. Frankenstein agrees, but ultimately destroys this creation, fearing the idea of a race of monsters. Enraged, the creature swears revenge; he kills Henry Clerval, Frankenstein’s best friend, and promises Frankenstein, “I shall be with you on your wedding night.” The creature keeps his promise by strangling Elizabeth on her matrimonial bed. Within a few days, Frankenstein’s father dies of grief. With nothing else left to live for, Frankenstein dedicates his life to destroying the creature. Frankenstein pursues the “fiend” or “Demon” (as he calls his creation) to the Arctic, intending to destroy it. Although he is rescued by a ship attempting an expedition to the North Pole, he dies after relating his tale to the ship’s captain, Robert Walton. His creature, upon discovering the death of his creator, is overcome by sorrow and guilt and vows to commit suicide by burning himself alive in “the Northernmost extremity of the globe;” he then disappears, never to be seen or heard from again. Some aspects of Victor Frankenstein are believed to have been inspired by 17th-century alchemist Johann Konrad Dippel. Certainly, the author and people in her environment were aware of the experiment on electricity and dead tissues by Luigi Galvani and his nephew Antonio Aldini and the work of Alessandro Volta at the University of Pavia. Percy Shelley, Mary’s husband, served as a significant influence for the character. Victor was a pen name of Percy Shelley’s, as in the collection of poetry he wrote with his sister Elizabeth, Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire.
First Appearance Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818)
First Publisher Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones
Appearance List Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818)
Sample Read Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus [Internet Archive]
Description Victor Frankenstein is an Italian-Swiss scientist (born in Naples, Italy) who, after studying chemical processes and the decay of living things, gains an insight into the creation of life and gives life to his own creature (often referred to as Frankenstein’s monster, or often colloquially referred to as simply “Frankenstein”). Victor later regrets meddling with nature through his creation, as he inadvertently endangers his own life and the lives of his family and friends when the creature seeks revenge against him. He is first introduced in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus when he is seeking to catch the monster near the North Pole and is saved from near death by Robert Walton and his crew. In a flashback to the University of Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Frankenstein develops a fondness for chemistry, and within two years, his commitment and scientific ability allow him to make discoveries that earn him admiration at the university. He then becomes curious about the nature of life and his studies lead him to a miraculous discovery that enables him to create life in inanimate matter. Assembling a humanoid creature through ambiguous means, Frankenstein successfully brings it to life, but he is horrified by the creature’s ugliness. He flees from his creation, who disappears and, after several negative encounters with the locals, swears revenge on his creator. Frankenstein is wracked with guilt but does not come forward with the truth because he thinks no one will believe his story, and he is afraid of the reactions such a story would provoke. The creature approaches Frankenstein and begs him to create a female companion for him. Frankenstein agrees, but ultimately destroys this creation, fearing the idea of a race of monsters. Enraged, the creature swears revenge; he kills Henry Clerval, Frankenstein’s best friend, and promises Frankenstein, “I shall be with you on your wedding night.” The creature keeps his promise by strangling Elizabeth on her matrimonial bed. Within a few days, Frankenstein’s father dies of grief. With nothing else left to live for, Frankenstein dedicates his life to destroying the creature. Frankenstein pursues the “fiend” or “Demon” (as he calls his creation) to the Arctic, intending to destroy it. Although he is rescued by a ship attempting an expedition to the North Pole, he dies after relating his tale to the ship’s captain, Robert Walton. His creature, upon discovering the death of his creator, is overcome by sorrow and guilt and vows to commit suicide by burning himself alive in “the Northernmost extremity of the globe;” he then disappears, never to be seen or heard from again. Some aspects of Victor Frankenstein are believed to have been inspired by 17th-century alchemist Johann Konrad Dippel. Certainly, the author and people in her environment were aware of the experiment on electricity and dead tissues by Luigi Galvani and his nephew Antonio Aldini and the work of Alessandro Volta at the University of Pavia. Percy Shelley, Mary’s husband, served as a significant influence for the character. Victor was a pen name of Percy Shelley’s, as in the collection of poetry he wrote with his sister Elizabeth, Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire.
