Artist, preservationist, philanthropist, sheep breeder, Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) is best known for creating children’s books that are still popular today.
18 Facts about Beatrix Potter
- Long before she wrote The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter was a scientific illustrator, drawing detailed pictures of beetles and fungi specimens.
- An astute businesswoman, Beatrix Potter patented her Peter Rabbit doll in 1903. The soft toy is the oldest licensed fictional character. Other “spin-offs” from her books, like nursery wallpaper and Christmas cards, soon followed.
- One of the first books Beatrix Potter ever wrote, The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, was her last to be published, in 1930.
- After making her fortune, Beatrix became an avid sheep farmer, and the first woman elected for President of the Herdwick Sheepbreeders’ Association.
- The storied life of Beatrix Potter was played by Renée Zellweger, in the 2006 film, Miss Potter.
- Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit was rejected by six different publishers until the sixth one, Frederick Warne & Co., changed their minds under the condition that her illustrations be printed in color. Today, under the umbrella of British publisher, Penguin Random House, Frederick Warne & Co. continue to publish Beatrix Potter books.
- Beatrix Potter was born in London on July, 28th, 1866. That makes her a fiery Leo.
- In 2016, the likeness of Peter Rabbit appeared on a British 50 pence coin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth.
- Peter Rabbit got his own movie, PETER RABBIT, in 2018. And a sequel in 2021.
- Peter might have 2 movies and his own TV show but Beatrix has her own Attraction.
- In 1886, Beatrix kept a pet mouse named Xarifa.
- Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s beloved farm house in Cumbria, is a 17th century home made of stone. Jemima Puddleduck, as well as Tom Kitten, and Samuel Whiskers, were all created there.
- Beatrix Potter was 18 years old when she took her first driving lesson in a horse drawn carriage.
- Beatrix Potter authored over sixty books. Of the 23 popular children’s books published while she was alive, 18 are titled The Tale of…, 2 are titled The Story of…, 2 are titled …Nursery Rhymes, and 1 is titled The Tailor of Gloucester.
- Beatrix Potter’s real name at birth: Helen Beatrix Potter. Her only brother’s name: Bertram.
- Beatrix Potter died in 1943. As per her will, she left no less than 14 farm properties, her Herdwick sheep, and 4000 acres of countryside(today’s Lake District National Park) to the British National Trust.
- A mid-sized asteroid discovered by Belgian astronomer, Eric Elst, was officially named Beatrixpotter, by NASA, in 1992.
- From 1880 to 1995, Beatrix Potter kept coded journals of her ideas and observations. Her code wasn’t deciphered until 1958.