Beatrix Potter 1866 – 1943

Beatrix Potter with Peter Rabbit

 Helen Beatrix Potter (better known as Beatrix Potter) was an English author, illustrator and conservationist.  She is probably best known for the Peter Rabbit series of books.

            Beatrix potter was born in London in 1866 to a wealthy family, with artistic parents who had a vast interest in nature and the countryside.  She had a younger brother, Bertram, and between them they had a number of pets they observed and drew constantly.  Their summers were spent in either Scotland or the Lake District, where Beatrix discovered her love of nature and began painting it from an early age.  She began art lessons in 1878 and was awarded an art student’s certificate for model and freehand drawing in 1880.

            In 1890, Beatrix bought her first rabbit, Benjamin Bouncer, later followed by another rabbit in 1893 whom she named Peter.  They would later become the inspiration behind her most beloved books.  The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first sent as a picture letter in 1893.  It was then published as a privately published edition, in black and white with illustrations in 1901, before being published commercially by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902.  The first Peter Rabbit doll, made by Beatrix herself, followed in 1903.  She was briefly engaged to her editor Norman Warne in 1905 until his sudden death from leukemia.  Grief stricken she fled to a life of solitary at a farm called Hill Top in the Lake District.  In 1909, she also brought the farm across the road, Castle Farm, soon becoming quite a prosperous farmer of the time.  

            Between 1902 and 1922, Beatrix wrote and illustrated many books featuring the animals she encountered in the countryside, with over 23 of them achieving publication.  She was also very active in conservation, and is credited with preserving the land which is now known as the Lake District National Park.

            In 1913, she married William Heelis, a country solicitor, much to the dismay of her parents who disapproved of the match.  They were happily married for thirty years but remained childless, devoting their time instead to farming and preservation.

            Beatrix Potter died in 1943 from complications due to pneumonia and heart disease.  She left nearly all of her property to the National Trust, who used her gift to preserve the lands now included in the Lake District National Park.  She also left the National Trust the original copies of many of her illustrations.

            In 1946, the Trust opened up Hill Top to the public and it has been popular with visitors from all over the world.  Not surprising when you think that this was the place where she drew inspiration for many of her beloved books.  The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, also in the Lake Distract, is another popular destination for fans of Peter Rabbit and his friends.