In 1887, when Dalguise was no longer available, the Potters took their first summer holiday in the Lake District, at Wray Castle near Lake Windermere. Beatrix and her brother were allowed great freedom in the country and both children became adept students of natural history. There she sketched and explored an area that nourished her imagination and her observation. In most of the first fifteen years of her life, Beatrix spent summer holidays at Dalguise, an estate on the River Tay in Perthshire, Scotland. Beatrix was devoted to the care of her small animals, often taking them with her on long holidays. In their school room, Beatrix and Bertram kept a variety of small pets, mice, rabbits, a hedgehog and some bats, along with collections of butterflies and other insects which they drew and studied. As children, Beatrix and Bertram had numerous small animals as pets which they observed closely and drew endlessly. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature, and enjoyed the countryside. She and her younger brother Walter Bertram (1872–1918) grew up with few friends outside their large extended family. It was Annie who later suggested that these letters might make good children's books. She and Beatrix remained friends throughout their lives and Annie's eight children were the recipients of many of Potter's delightful picture letters. They were English Unitarians, associated with dissenting Protestant congregations, influential in 19th century England, that affirmed the oneness of God and that rejected the doctrine of the Trinity.īeatrix was educated by three able governesses, the last of whom was Annie Moore ( née Carter), just three years older than Beatrix, who tutored Beatrix in German as well as acting as lady's companion. Potter's family on both sides were from the Manchester area. Rupert had invested in the stock market and by the early 1890s was extremely wealthy. Both parents were artistically talented, and Rupert was an adept amateur photographer. It was reported in July 2014 that Beatrix had personally given a number of her own original hand-painted illustrations to the two daughters of Dr Arthur and Harriet Lupton, who were blood cousins to both Beatrix and the Duchess of Cambridge.īeatrix's parents lived comfortably at 2 Bolton Gardens, West Brompton, where Helen Beatrix was born on 28 July 1866 and her brother Walter Bertram on 14 March 1872. Helen's first cousin was Harriet Lupton ( née Ashton) – the sister of Thomas Ashton, 1st Baron Ashton of Hyde. Helen was the daughter of Jane Ashton (1806–1884) and John Leech, a wealthy cotton merchant and shipbuilder from Stalybridge. He married Helen Leech (1839–1932) on 8 August 1863 at Hyde Unitarian Chapel, Gee Cross. Rupert practised law, specialising in equity law and conveyancing. He then trained as a barrister in London. James Martineau, an ancestor of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Potter's books continue to sell throughout the world in many languages with her stories being retold in song, film, ballet, and animation, and her life depicted in a feature film and television film.īeatrix's father, Rupert William Potter (1832–1914), was educated at Manchester College by the Unitarian philosopher Dr. She is credited with preserving much of the land that now constitutes the Lake District National Park. She died of pneumonia and heart disease on 22 December 1943 at her home in Near Sawrey at age 77, leaving almost all her property to the National Trust. ![]() Potter wrote about 30 books the best known being her 24 children's tales. She also began raising sheep and became a farmer, though she continued writing. In her forties, she married William Heelis, a local solicitor. In time, she bought Hill Top Farm and more land. She did not have to ask her parents for money anymore because she had money from her books. Potter began writing and illustrating children's books full time. However, Warne died before he and Potter could marry. They did not want her to marry someone who was socially lower than her. Her parents became angry and separated with her because of this. She also became engaged to her publisher Norman Warne. When she was around 30, Potter published The Tale of Peter Rabbit. There, she began to learn to love nature, plants, and animals, which she carefully painted. She spent her holidays in Scotland and the Lake District. ![]() She did not have many friends, but she had many pets, including Benjamin and Peter, two rabbits. She is famous for writing children's books with animal characters such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, mycologist and conservationist.
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