Frankenstein is a novel written by British author Mary Shelley. The 1st edition was published anonymously in London in 1818. The title refers to a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who learns how to create life and creates a being in the likeness of man, but larger than average and more powerful. In popular culture, people have tended to refer to the Creature as "Frankenstein," despite this being the name of the scientist. The story has had an influence across literature and popular culture and spawned a complete genre of horror stories and films. It's arguably the 1st fully realized science-fiction novel.