Who creates the monster in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein?

Victor Frankenstein creates the monster in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.

Victor is a young scientist who becomes obsessed with discovering the principle of life. At the University of Ingolstadt, he studies natural philosophy, chemistry, and related sciences before developing an unnamed method for giving vitality to inanimate matter. He constructs a humanoid being from materials taken from places including dissecting rooms and slaughterhouses.

Shelley deliberately leaves the exact mechanics of creation ambiguous. The novel does not present the fully developed electrical laboratory sequence later popularized by films, and it never gives the creature a personal name. “Frankenstein” is the creator’s surname, although popular culture often uses it for the creature instead.

The creature’s tragedy begins when Victor recoils from him immediately after animation. Although the being is intelligent, emotionally sensitive, and capable of learning language, repeated rejection drives him toward revenge against his creator and Victor’s family. The novel’s central conflict therefore concerns responsibility as much as scientific ambition: Victor creates the creature, but repeatedly refuses to accept responsibility for him.