Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter, or Helen Beatrix Potter (July 28 1866–December 22, 1943) was a British children's book author and illustrator. Her most famous character is Peter Rabbit.

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Her father, Rupert Potter, although educated as a barrister, spent his days at Gentlemen's clubs and rarely practised. Her mother spent her time visiting or receiving visitors. Both parents lived on incomes (inheritances) from their parents. Nannies and governesses raised Beatrix and her younger brother, Bertam. When she came of age, her parents appointed her their housekeeper and discouraged any intellectual development, instead requiring her to supervise the household. An uncle attempted to introduce her as a student at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, but she was rejected because she was female.

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The basis of her many art projects and stories were the small animals that she smuggled into the house or observed during family holidays in Scotland and the Lake District.

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Potter was one of the first to suggest that lichens were a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae, but her one attempt to publish was thwarted. Her uncle had to read her paper at the scientific society because they did not admit females.

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She was encouraged to publish her story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, but she struggled to find a publisher until it was accepted in 1902. The small book and her following works were extremely well received and she gained an independent income from the sales. She also became secretly engaged to the publisher, Norman Warne, but her parents were set against her marrying anyone who worked for a living. He died before the engagement, causing a breach between Beatrix and her parents.

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At the age of 47 Potter married her solicitor, William Heelis; they had no children. Her writing efforts abated around 1920 due to poor eyesight.

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Potter wrote 23 books. These were published in a small format, easy for a child to hold and read.

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In her later years she bought and ran a sheep farm in the English Lake District; she loved the landscape, and with the steady stream of royalties from her books, along with the inheritance from her parents, she bought up large areas of local land. She had been a friend of one of the founders of the National Trust, and in her will, much of the property was left to the Trust — cottages, 15 farms, 4000 acres (16 km²) of land — to ensure that its beauty could remain unspoiled. Her legacy is now part of the Lake District National Park.

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Beatrix Potter died in Sawrey, Lancashire on December 22, 1943.

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July 28: July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining....

1866: 1866 is a common year starting on Monday....

December 22: December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 9 days remaining....

Beatrix Potter related Images and Photos (experimental)

Beatrix Potter Collection (DVD)	Beatrix Potter 2012 Wall Calendar	Beatrix Potter 2011 Wall Calendar	British Author/Illustrator Beatrix Potter Posing Outside with Her Dog at Age 15
TALE OF PIGLING BLAND AND THE OTHER STORIES (BEATRIX POTTER) (DVD)	World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (Beatrix Potter)	Jemima Puddle-Duck Posing in Front of Iron Gate Outside Beatrix Potter's Home	Collie Sheepdog Sitting in Road Leading Up Toward Castle Farm Owned by Beatrix Potter
Potter Vase II	Potter Vase II	Miss Potter	Monica Potter