Photo of Beatrix Potter in 1912, taken by her father

Helen Beatrix Potter (July 28, 1866 – December 22, 1943) was a naturalist, conservationist, illustrator, and author known primarily for her children’s books such asThe Tale ofPeter Rabbit.

EarlyLife

Beatrix Potter was the only daughter of Rupert Potter and Helen Leech. She and her brother, Walter Bertram, were taught by governesses at their London home, where Potter cultivated talents in art and literature. Family holidays in Scotland and England’s Lake District, along with an assortment of pets at home, inspired Potter’sdrawings and characters.

Creative Career and CountryLife

During a holiday in Scotland, Potter wrote and illustrated an animal story for a friend’s child. That story becameThe Tale ofPeter Rabbit,published commercially in 1902 with great success. Over the next two decades she published 22 more fantastical children’sbooks, and also found success with “spin-off” merchandise likedolls,tea sets, andboard games.

Potter becameengaged to her publisher’s son Norman Warne in 1905, but Warne died suddenly a few months later. Using the proceeds from her book sales and some family inheritance money, Potter boughtHill Top and Castle Farm in her favorite village in the Lake District. She married local solicitor William Heelis in October of 1913, and throughout the rest of their 30 years together Potter continued to purchase farmland to preserve from development and became one of the county’s most respected Herdwick sheep breeders.

DeathandLegacy

Potter continued to write and illustrate throughout her later years, mostly for her own enjoyment. Shedied at Castle Farm on December 22, 1943, age 77. Over 4,000 acres—farms, cottages, and animal herds included—werebequeathed to the National Trust, along with nearly all of the original illustrations from her books.

Conservation efforts continue on the land that Potter gifted, and to this day the house at Hill Top remains as it was when she lived there. Her books continue to sell internationally, and both her fictional stories and personal life have been adapted into songs, ballets, TV shows, andmovies.

Learn more about Beatrix Potter through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about Beatrix Potter

Newspaper ad for "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter from 1902, the year it was published 27 Nov 1902, ThuThe Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana) Newspapers.comReview of Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" from 1902, the year it was published 27 Dec 1902, SatChicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.comSummary of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter from the year of its publication 29 Dec 1902, MonThe Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.comList of Beatrix Potter animal books for sale in 1911 newspaper, including "Peter Rabbit" 24 Nov 1911, FriDemocrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York) Newspapers.comAd for cloth and cotton Peter Rabbit dolls, just like "in the children's story book," from 1919 11 Apr 1919, FriChicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.com1922 ad for "Peter Rabbit" children's tea sets, from Beatrix Potter's original book drawings 04 Nov 1922, SatThe Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com1943 obituary for Beatrix Potter speaks of her author career, conservation, and sheep breeding 23 Dec 1943, ThuThe Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comBeatrix Potter's Lake District land bequeathed to the National Trust following her death in 1943 17 Feb 1944, ThuThe Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comArticle segment mentions Beatrix Potter's engagement to Norman Warne, and his death 14 Jun 1958, SatThe Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comPhoto of a retired Beatrix Potter and her animals taken in 1943, the year that she died 15 Aug 1971, SunColorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph (Colorado Springs, Colorado) Newspapers.comIllustration of Beatrix Potter and her friends, book characters inspired by real-life pets 08 Apr 1979, SunThe Des Moines Register (Des Moines, Iowa) Newspapers.comReview of Beatrix Potter biography includes summary of Potter's life and author career 12 Jul 1987, SunThe Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri) Newspapers.comPhoto of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top farm in England's Lake District 31 May 1988, TueThe Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.comBeatrix Potter works and memorabilia exhibit article summarizes her life and work 12 Jun 1988, SunThe Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.comSelection from 1989 article describing Beatrix Potter's house, Hill Top Farm, with exterior photo 07 May 1989, SunThe Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida) Newspapers.comSummary biography of Beatrix Potter's childhood, pets, drawings, books, conservation efforts 12 Apr 1992, SunThe Missoulian (Missoula, Montana) Newspapers.com"Peter Rabbit's Race Game," Peter Rabbit board game created by Beatrix Potter in 1917 25 Sep 1992, FriThe Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.comScene from "The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny" TV show based on Potter's books, 1993 04 May 1993, TueAlbuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Newspapers.comPeter Rabbit merchandise as valuable in 1993 as Beatrix Potter knew it would be in 1903 04 May 1993, TueAlbuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico) Newspapers.com"The Tale of Peter Rabbit," first written as letter in 1893, sees 100th anniversary in papers 05 May 1993, WedSioux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa) Newspapers.com2007 review for "Miss Potter," movie inspired by the real life of author Beatrix Potter 05 Jan 2007, FriNorthwest Herald (Woodstock, Illinois) Newspapers.com