Albertus Magnus was a German theologian, scientist, and philosopher.  Most notably, he was a bishop who taught St. Thomas Aquinas.  Because of his contributions to the sciences and the church, he was canonized as a saint in 1931 and declared as the patron saint of those who study the natural sciences (Britannica). 

St. Thomas Aquinas, after being taught by Magnus wrote one of his most famous works, Summa Theologiae, in which he utilized the philosophies of Aristotle to explain the relationship between God and Man.  (Summa theologiae, Britannica)

By including Albertus Magnus in Frankenstein, Shelley contributes to the historicity of the work, as Magnus was likely one of the figures studied by scientists in Europe prior to Victor’s introduction to the sciences. 

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus. 1818.

"St. Albertus Magnus." Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Albertus-Magnus. Accessed 1 May 2023.

"Summa Theologiae." Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/Summa-theologiae. Accessed 1 May 2023.