Beatrix Potter:  Not Just an Author of Children's Stories

Beatrix Potter

Helen Beatrix Potter was born at No 2, Bolton Gardens, South Kensington, Middlesex (now in Greater London), England on July 28, 1866. She was the only daughter of a well-to-do London family, and her parents were heirs to a cotton fortune [4]. Her family was a typical Victorian family, living in a large house with several servants. Beatrix's younger brother, Bertram, was born when she was six years old, and the children were schooled at home by a governess until Bertram was old enough to attend school. Beatrix stayed home and was cared for by a string of governesses who encouraged her to read and write, and introduced her to music and art [3].

Beatrix spent much of her childhood in solitude, only seeing her parents at bedtime and on special occasions. From a young age, Beatrix was fascinated by nature. Her family went on annual summer holidays in Scotland and the Lake District. It was here that she and Bertram collected animals, skeletons, and fossils together. They sketched and painted pictures of the plants and animals they saw, and often went to the Natural History Museum to learn more. As they traveled the countryside, Beatrix gained not only first-hand experience, but also a deep love and knowledge of the countryside. It was this combination that makes her books so special [2].

Although her parents were a bit overprotective and discouraged her from forming friendships with other children, Beatrix always had her brother for company, not to mention a whole menagerie of pets. The children kept the pets in their schoolroom, and carefully studied and drew them. Almost all of Beatrix's famous characters from her books are based on pets she had. For example, Benjamin Bunny was based on Beatrix's first pet rabbit, Benjamin Bouncer [3].

While in her early twenties, Beatrix made a minor scientific discovery in regards to the "spores of moulds". Because she was self-taught, her work was under suspicion by botanists at the Royal Botanic Gardens. After much persistence, she wrote a paper on the subject, which was read before the Linnean Society of London. Because women were not allowed to attend meetings, Beatrix herself did not get to read the paper before the Society, but her discovery and theories did eventually prove to be correct [1].

On September 4, 1893, Beatrix wrote a picture letter to Noel Moore, the five-year old son of an ex-governess. The boy was ill in bed, and because Beatrix did not know what to write to him, she proceeded to tell him a story about four little rabbits. Years later, Beatrix decided to publish the story as a book, but it was rejected by every publisher she sent it to. Beatrix printed the book herself as a privately-published edition. Frederick Warne then agreed to publish the book in 1902. The book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, became one of the most famous stories ever written. Even Beatrix was surprised by the success of her story [3].

Through her publishing adventures, Beatrix met the love of her life (and the son of her publisher), Norman Warne. The two developed their relationship over several years. Beatrix was nearly forty years old by the time Norman proposed marriage. Although her parents strongly opposed the marriage, feeling that Norman was below her station, Beatrix defiantly accepted Norman's proposal. Sadly, Norman died of an advanced case of leukemia shortly after the proposal, and the marriage never took place [1].

With the money Beatrix earned from her Peter Rabbit books, she was able to buy Hill Top Farm in the village of Sawrey, England [3]. It was here that Beatrix blossomed in spirit, independence, and creativity [1]. Many of her later books were set at this farm [3]. Although Beatrix could have spent the rest of her life writing stories, her love and knowledge of animals went on to another level. She became a farmer. She bought several farms, and during the course of her negotiations, she met and married William Heelis, a solicitor [2].

After her marriage, Beatrix was able to settle in to the Lake District permanently. She took an active role in caring for her farms. She not only bred prize pigs, but became well-known for breeding Herdwick sheep. She was the first woman elected as President of the Herdwick Sheepbreeders' Association (a great honor in the local farming community) [3].

After her death on December 22, 1943, Beatrix bequeathed Hill Top Farm to the National Trust [4]. It became open to the public in 1946, and to this day, receives thousands of visitors each year. The National Trust upkeeps 4,000 acres of land bequeathed to it by Beatrix Potter. The organization works with local farmers to maintain the unique dry-stone walls and footpaths, and to protect the Lake District that Beatrix Potter loved so much [3].

Beatrix Potter was far more than just an author of nursery tales. She was an artist, a farmer and landowner, a breeder and judge of prize sheep, and a philanthropist. She is immortalized both through her books, which continue to bring delight to children, and through the lovely Lake District in England, which she helped to preserve [2].

The picture of Beatrix Potter came from http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/0/0,5716,62630+1+61079,00.html?query=beatrix%20

Works Cited and Consulted

1. "Beatrix Potter and the Lake District." http://shoga.wwa.com/~cfox/fire/bp/bpld.htm (23 Sept. 2000).

2. "Beatrix Potter - More Than Just a Rabbit's Tale!" http://www.wwwebguides.com/authors/society/potter/beatr.html (23 Sept. 2000).

3. "Beatrix Potter's Life." http://www.peterrabbit.co.uk/uk/biography/printresource.cfm (23 Sept. 2000).

4. "Potter, (Helen) Beatrix." http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/0/0,5716,62630+1+61079,00.html?query=beatrix%20potter (23 Sept. 2000).

Article by Jeanne Smith