Harriet Westbrook

In 1814, Percy Shelley abandoned his wife and their child for 16-year-old Mary Shelley. (AUDIO: Mary's Story)

Behind the scenes
Harriet Westbrook was Percy Shelley's first wife. On 28 July 1814, Percy abandoned her and ran away with Mary Shelley to Switzerland, taking Mary's stepsister Claire Clairmont with them.