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His daughter Mary Godwin became Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein. He was a English Utopian theorist who did not believe in organized government, or the institution of marriage. He wrote a few books, was a liberal miniter who did not believe in Biblical teachings (equivalent of Unitarians today I would think, a deist who believed in an unidentified power). He was quite famous in the later 18th Century in England. There were a lot Utopian theorists at that time, especially in England, and to some extent in France. Of course the Marquis de Sade lived around the same time. Because the institution of marriage was thought outdated, there was a certain frivulous attitude among them toward sex. He had a insestual attitude toward his daughter, Mary, who then wrote about it, or referenced it in several of her books. I do not know if their relations ever went to the point of actual insest, but at least Mary says he harbored this attitude. Her teen years and beyond were quite troubled by her father's nature. Kind of a love/hate relationship at times.

... in response to for BURKE89 (about William Godwin), posted by Quasimoto on Oct 18, 2002

you will give away my monicker. Perhaps, you're telling me (in a gentlemanly fashion), to re-read the chapter, of my own recommendation. I concur, and it is sitting on my desk...

Cheers,

Vaughn

... in response to If you speak, anymore of the late 1700's..., posted by BURKE89 on Oct 18, 2002

Thanks for the recommend - "Intellectuals". I hope it is unflattering as it sounds in your description.

Steve