A hidden portrait of a scandalized life boldly reclaimed for a new generation. In Defence of Harriet Shelley is Mark Twain s passionate, witty plea for a woman history long misjudged. Twain s essay revisits the life of Harriet Shelley with forensic sympathy and cutting humor, unpacking how Victorian literature s moralizing lens warped public memory. With sharp literary analysis and compassionate storytelling, Twain interrogates the Shelley family myths and offers a corrective to generations of critics who reduced Harriet to caricature. Readers encounter engaging reflections on 19th century authors, the cultural machinery that frames English poets, and the human cost of literary criticism. This edition is historically significant: a rare Mark Twain biography-style essay mixing personal defense and social commentary, contextualized for Mary Shelley context and the wider Romantic circle. Alpha Editions has republished this work after decades out of print, fully restored for today s and future generations. More than a reprint, this volume is a collector s item a cultural treasure for classic literature devotees and casual readers alike. Ideal for lovers of Victorian literature, scholars of literary criticism, and fans of Mark Twain essays, this book bridges historical biography and spirited commentary. Rediscover Harriet Shelley through Twain s unique voice, and reclaim a story that reshapes how we read the lives behind the poems. Keywords: Mark Twain biography, Harriet Shelley defense, literary analysis, 19th century authors, Shelley family.