Beatrix Potter eBooks

Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books featuring animals such as those in "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" which celebrated the British landscape and country life.

Born into a privileged Unitarian family, Potter grew up with few friends outside her large extended family. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature and enjoyed the countryside. As children, Beatrix had numerous small animals as pets which she observed closely and drew endlessly. Summer holidays were spent in Scotland and in the English Lake District where Beatrix developed a love of the natural world which was the subject of her painting from an early age.

She was educated by private governesses until she was eighteen. Her study of languages, literature, science and history was broad and she was an eager student. Her artistic talents were recognized early. Although she was provided with private art lessons, Beatrix preferred to develop her own style, particularly favoring watercolour.

Following some success illustrating cards and booklets, Potter wrote and illustrated "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" publishing it first privately in 1901, and a year later as a small, three-colour illustrated book with Frederick Warne & Co. She became unofficially engaged to her editor Norman Warne in 1905 despite the disapproval of her parents, but he died suddenly a month later, of leukemia.

Potter’s books continue to sell throughout the world in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in song, film, ballet and animation.