The Little Mice Came Out Again

Artist and writer Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 in London, the eldest daughter of a wealthy family. She grew up in a wealthy family and was privately educated. The family had a number of pets which Beatrix adored - her first pet rabbit was Benjamin Bouncer who had a love for hot buttered toast! Benjamin was later followed by Peter Piper who was taught a variety of tricks. Beatrix began her writing career alongside her illustration work in 1902 when her first storybook was published - The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Between 1902 and 1910, Beatrix wrote and illustrated on average two books each year and developed a close relationship with her editor.

The couple were due to marry when he died suddenly in 1905. Beatrix did marry in 1913 and moved to the Lake District which became her home for many years. Here her love of the countryside continued until her death in 1943. During these years Beatrix spent her time farming and breeding sheep with over 4000 acres of land and fifteen farms when she died. The estate was left to the nation & even today visitors can spend time at Hill Top Farm which has been preserved by the National Trust. It is testament to her success both as a writer and illustrator that in 2018, Peter Rabbit is to be released as a movie voiced by James Cordon.