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

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

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...

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... 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).

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