Wives of Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bisshe Shelley, another famous author from the regency era, is boring. But do you know him beyond his novel work? What about for example his two wives? or too much ironic death? Well you bumped into the right place.
short bio
Percy Shelley was born to Timothy Shelley, a weak and controversial man. In contrast his grandfather owned rich estates that Percy was heir to. Between 1804-1810 he studied in Eton and later in autumn 1810 he entered the University College London. However his stay at this institution was short for he got expelled in March 1811, because he refused to admit authorship of "The Necessity of Atheism"
Harriet Westbrook
It was at this time when he met his first wife Harriet and together they eloped in August 1811. Harriet was a daughter of a tavern owner in London so through this marriage he also gained enough resources to keep his rebel-youth lifestyle that was endangered by a decrease of his money by his father and grandfather who tried to wake him up from this rebellious life and teach him some discipline
In June 1813 Harriet gave birth to their daughter Ianthe and year later she gave birth to their son Charles. Despite this accomplishments their sunny days didn't last forever for Percy (22) met young Mary Wollstonecraft (17) and they fell in love together leaving Harriet most likely in despair. So late in 1816 she drowned herself in London.
Mary Wollstonecraft
Shortly after Harriet's death Mary married Percy, making her his second wife. Considering the Regency era habits, it was scandalous for when your wife dies you must mourn for a certain period of time. Inspite this impropriety they surprisingly had a blessing from Mary's father.
After this act the Chancery court decided that the children Percy had with Harriet had to be placed in foster care at his own expense. That obviously didn't faze him much…
Since 1818 Percy and Mary traveled through most of Italy visiting Venice (here he reunited with lord Byron), Rome, Naples, Florence and more. In autumn 1819 Mary gave birth to their only surviving child, a daughter named Percy Florence Shelley. And in 1820 they moved to Pisa.
Death
Percy Bysshe Shelley died on July 8th 1822, but the way he died is most ironically ironic. He drowned when his boat sank on the stormy return voyage to Lerici. Harriet's revenge from the grave maybe …..
Author: T.Ctrnacta ,VI.B
Resources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Percy-Bysshe-Shelley, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/percy-bysshe-shelley, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley
Picture resources: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/08/04/429363868/how-percy-shelley-stirred-his-politics-into-his-tea-cup</p>, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Wollstonecraft-Shelley<br class="">, https://wordsworth.org.uk/blog/2014/07/08/full-fathom-five-the-poet-lies-the-death-of-percy-bysshe-shelley/</p>, https://beauxdesarts.livejournal.com/8968.html</p>