<i><b>The Last Man</b></i>&nbsp;is an&nbsp;apocalyptic,&nbsp;dystopian&nbsp;science fiction novel by&nbsp;Mary Shelley, first published in 1826. The narrative concerns&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;in the late 21st century, ravaged by a mysterious pandemic illness that rapidly sweeps across the entire globe, ultimately resulting in the near-extinction of humanity. It also includes discussion of the British state as a&nbsp;republic, for which Shelley sat in meetings of the&nbsp;House of Commons&nbsp;to gain insight to the governmental system of the&nbsp;Romantic era.&nbsp;<i>The Last Man</i>&nbsp;was critically savaged and remained largely obscure at the time of its publication. It was not until the 1960s that the novel resurfaced for the public as a work of&nbsp;fiction, not prophecy.&nbsp;<i>The Last Man</i>&nbsp;is one of the first pieces of&nbsp;dystopian fiction&nbsp;published.