Shelley's Early Life

Percy Bysshe Shelley was born in 1792, the sixth of six children to a prominent and wealthy English family. Growing up, Shelley was tutored and taught at home by Rev. Even Edwards, who not only educated young Shelley but taught him the religion of Christianity as well. In 1804, Shelley left the comfort of his home and headed to Elton College. Shelley not only did horribly at Elton, but was tormented and ridiculed by his classmates daily. Due to the tormenting of his fellow class-mates, Percy Shelley soon left Elton college, and became a student at the prominent school, Oxford (1810). While attending Oxford, Shelley published his first piece of literature, a Gothic novel, Zastrozzi.(This novel was actually written when Shelley was just seventeen years old, attending Elton College, but was not published until his attendance at Oxford.) This novel touched upon the subjects of selfishness, revenge, and self-indulgence. This early Shelley novel got favorable reviews, but was not immensely well-known within the literary world. Following 1810, Shelley wrote the highly debated pamphlet named The Nessecity of Atheism. Despite his christian up bringing, this piece of work criticized the religoious world and stated that one's beliefs are involuntary; therefore, atheists should not be persecuted for not believe in God. The writings in the pamphlet were so controversial and frowned upon, that the Necesscity of Atheism immediately caught the attention of Oxford staff. Soon after publication, Shelley was called to appear in front of several Oxford staff, including the current dean, George Rowley. Shelley refused to recant his statements; therefore, resulting in his expulsion from Oxford University on March 25, 1811 ( fellow writer Thomas Jefferson Hogg was also expelled due to involvement.)Due to the prominence of Shelley's father, Sir Timothy Shelley, Percy was told he could enroll once more at Oxford if he agreed to withdraw his statements. Sticking to his beliefs and thoughts, he refused, permanently expelling him from the University and creating a falling-out with his Father. This rebellious act set way for Percy Shelley's outrageous and controversial poetry, which along with other well known poets (William Blake, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth etc..) inspired the genre of poetry we now call Romanticism.

- Kailee Phillips