Victor Frankenstein

I am Victor Frankenstein. I was born in Naples, Italy, but am "by birth a Genevese ... and my family is one of the most distinguished of that republic." I was an only child until my parents adopted Elizabeth, whom I called cousin, though later I had brothers. I always had a fondness for natural philosophy, for the works of Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Magnus, which never left me even after it was discouraged by my professors at the University of Ingolstadt. It was this, along with some fascination of electricity, that eventually led to my creation. I discovered, you see, the secret to life, to bringing it to those without it. Though I would never do it again if I had the choice now, I applied this knowledge to the creation of a terrible creature, a grotesque creation. It was this act that lead my life to tumble downwards, leading to the deaths of my brother, my dearest friend, my dear Elizabeth, my father, and others still. I tried desperately to rid myself and the world of this creature, but I could not. The creature went so far as to demand I make another! This request was too much at the time; I destroyed her as soon as I'd created her, not able to bear repeating my mistake. This only lead to further tragedy as the creature sought revenge. Oh, how I wish I had never created this creature! I shall be alone in the world with him, a penance for my most terrible of mistakes... No, I shall destroy the creature, or die trying.