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Beatrix Potter Biography
Beatrix Potter (full name Helen Beatrix Potter) was a British writer and illustrator best known for her world-famous stories in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. 

Born on 28th July 1866 in Kensington, London, Beatrix Potter was always encouraged to draw and she spent many hours making intricate sketches of animals and plants, revealing an early fascination for the natural world that would continue throughout her life. Although she never went to school, Beatrix was an intelligent and hard working student, and her parents employed an art teacher, Miss Cameron, and a number of governesses, throughout her life. 

Beatrix used her two pet rabbits as her early models. Her first rabbit was Benjamin Bouncer, who enjoyed buttered toast and joined the Potter family when they went on holiday every year to Scotland for three months. She used to take him for walks on a lead. Benjamin was followed by Peter Piper, who had a talent for performing tricks, and he accompanied Beatrix everywhere. These clearly became the inspiration for her infamous Peter Rabbit stories which she wrote and had published in her thirties.

Beatrix Potter Facts
During her life, Beatrix always loved nature and the outdoors and she fell in love with the Lake District. When she died in 1943, she left most of her property and land to The National Trust, the largest donation of its kind at that time. She is credited with preserving much of the land that is now known as the Lake District National Park.

Our favourite Beatrix Potter Book Characters
Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Lily Rabbit and Squirrel Nutkin - from The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Our favourite Beatrix Potter Book Quotes
“I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter! 'One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time.' But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper.” (The Tale of Peter Rabbit)

“It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is 'soporific'.” (The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies)