"The Last Man" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is an apocalyptic science fiction novel published in 1826. Set in late 21st-century Europe, the story follows humanity's struggle as a devastating plague sweeps across the globe, threatening extinction. Through the eyes of Lionel Verney and his circle—including characters inspired by Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron—the novel explores love, ambition, and survival against civilization's collapse. Written after profound personal loss, this pioneering work of dystopian fiction envisions Britain as a republic while chronicling humanity's darkest hour. (This is an automatically generated summary.)