A name synonymous with Gothic horror and literary genius, Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, is not a name you would immediately associate with the sunny seaside town of Bournemouth. And yet, the author's final resting place is not in the windswept landscapes of a gothic novel, but right here, in the heart of our town, at St Peter’s Church. But why Bournemouth? The story is one of a son's love and a final wish.
While Mary Shelley never lived in Bournemouth, her son, Sir Percy Florence Shelley, and his wife Jane, were drawn to the area's restorative sea air and milder climate. They purchased a property in Boscombe, which they transformed into a home, known more recently as The Shelley Theatre. It was their hope that Mary, whose health was failing, would join them. Sadly, Mary passed away in London in 1851 before she could make the move.
However, her desire was to be buried with her parents, the radical thinkers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. To honour this wish, Sir Percy had their remains brought from London and interred in a family vault at St. Peter’s Church. And in a final, poignant act of devotion, the heart of her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, which Mary had kept since his death, was also placed in the tomb.
A Legacy in Bournemouth
The Shelley family's influence on Bournemouth extends beyond the family grave. While the aforementioned Shelley Theatre, once their home and the Shelley Rooms museum, which once housed a collection of family memorabilia, is currently closed, their story is woven into the fabric of the town.
Explore Bournemouth's Literary Past
Mary Shelley is just one of many literary figures with a connection to this beautiful stretch of coastline. To delve deeper into the area's rich creative heritage, why not follow the ExploreBCP Writers Trail? This self-led walk will take you on a journey through the lives and landscapes that inspired a host of authors.
From the creator of Frankenstein to other literary greats, Bournemouth and its surroundings have long been a haven for creative minds. So next time you are in the town centre, pay a visit to St. Peter’s and the Shelley family vault, and take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary story of the woman who penned one of the world's most enduring horror stories.
