Beatrix Potter

As a young girl growing up in the Victorian period in England, Beatrix Potter was schooled at her home by tutors and studied art. She was apparently a shy young girl and often a little reserved in her actions. Whilst she was taught at home her brother, Bertram, was sent away to be schooled. Beatrix was a keen observer of nature and at a young age began to paint and draw many of the things she saw around her. Beatrix was allowed to keep many different pets in her school room like birds and mice and various reptiles. These animals were often used as subjects for her art and were the basis of her more famous characters in years to come.


In 1893 Beatrix Potter created what was to become one of her most famous characters. She wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit in the form of a picture letter and gave it to a young friend she knew who had been very ill for a long period. From the friends positive reaction to the story she decided to take the character further. In 1901 she had 250 copies of the very same story printed in time for the Christmas period. The copies of this short story were sold for a shilling each and they were quickly snapped up by interested parties causing her to print another 200 copies in quick succession.






The Tale of Peter Rabbit


The Peter Rabbit character was a very disobedient and rebellious young rabbit who is chased around a garden owned by 'Mr. McGregor'. After he escapes the wrath of Mr. McGregor the short story ends with him returning home to be put to bed by his mother and given camomile tea. In 1902 the story was eventually picked up by  Frederick Warne & Co. and they published a trade edition. The book was a instant hit and in the following years multiple reprints were issued. These days over 45 million copies of the book have been sold making it one of the best selling books of all time. Following this Beatrix Potter released over 20 popular children's books over the period of 1902-1918.



With the inheritance left by her aunt and the money Beatrix made from the books she bought a property named Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey at the English Lake District. Beatrix then proceeded to purchase several additional farms in an attempt to preserve the unique hill country landscape. In 1913 at the age of 47 Beatrix married William Heelis, a well known local solicitor from Hawkshead. Potter turned into a prosperous farmer keenly interested in land preservation and was known as a top breeder of Herdwick sheep.




Beatrix Potter continued writing and illustrating books for children until the duties of her land and farms and diminishing eyesight made it difficult for her to continue. Beatrix Potter published over twenty-three books for children and the most well known are those written between 1902 and 1918. Beatrix Potter died on 22 December 1943 at Castle Cottage, Near Sawrey. She left almost all of her legacy and property to National Trust. Much of the land that now comprises the Lake District National Park is credited to her preservation skills.



The Beatrix Potter Publications


The 23 Tales of Beatrix Potter:






  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)










  • The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903)










  • The Tailor of Gloucester (1903)










  • The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)










  • The Tale of Two Bad Mice (1904)










  • The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905)










  • The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)










  • The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1906)










  • The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit (1906)










  • The Story of Miss Moppet (1906)










  • The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)










  • The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)










  • The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or, The Roly-Poly Pudding (1908)










  • The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)










  • The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (1909)










  • The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse (1910)










  • The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes (1911)










  • The Tale of Mr. Tod (1912)










  • The Tale of Pigling Bland (1913)










  • Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes (1917)










  • The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (1918)










  • Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes (1922)










  • The Tale of Little Pig Robinson (1930)





    • Other books
    • Peter Rabbit's Painting Book (1911)
    • Tom Kitten's Painting Book (1917)
    • Jemima Puddle-Duck's Painting Book (1925)
    • Peter Rabbit's Almanac for 1929 (1928)
    • The Fairy Caravan (1929)
    • Sister Anne (illustrated by Katharine Sturges) (1932)
    • Wag-by-Wall (decorations by J. J. Lankes) (1944)
    • The Tale of the Faithful Dove (illustrated by Marie Angel) (1955, 1970)
    • The Sly Old Cat (written 1906; first published 1971)



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