There have been many authors, who preferred to write for children rather than teens or adults. One of the most well known writers of children's literature is Helen Beatrix Potter, who may be known as the creator of Benjamin Bunny, for instance. One of the primary, if not the main, aspect that seperates her from others is perhaps that she was as popular now as when her books were first published.
Beatrix Potter was born in South Kensington, on July 28th, 1866. Her father, Rupert William Potter (1832-1914), had studied to become a barrister. However, he spent most of his days in a gentleman's club and rarely practised law. Her mother, Helen Potter nee Leech (1939-1932), spent most of her time either visiting or receiving people.
Growing up, Beatrix Potter was educated at home by a series of governesses. She didn't have many opportunities to spend time with children her own age. The only other child she could mix with was her younger brother, Bertram. However, he was rarely was home himself.
When Beatrix came of age, Mr. and Mrs. Potter appointed Beatrix their housekeeper and they both discouraged any intellectual development. From the age of 15 to past her thirties, she wrote in her journal everyday, recording her daily activities. Beatrix invented a code while writing in her journal. This code was only decoded twenty years after Beatrix Potter's death.
As those who have read her stories may know, Beatrix Potter based her stories on the small animals that she brought into her house or that she observed during her family holidays in the Lake District, in Scotland. At the age of 27, when she was on a family vacation, Beatrix sent a story about rabbits to Noel Moore, the five-year-old son of Beatrix Potter's last governess.
She was encouraged to publish this story she wrote for Noel Moore. It was in 1901 that Beatrix Potter chose to borrow back the story and to publish this story. Noel Moore's story about a rabbit became known as The Tale of Peter Rabbit. However, finding a publisher would not come easy. It was Frederick Warne & Co., who finally decided to publish this story, in October 1902.
It was Norman Warne, who was assigned to Beatrix Potter's books. In 1905, Norman and Beatrix became secretly engaged. Beatrix's parents did not approve of their daughter marrying a “tradesman”. Unfortunately, Norman Worne fell ill of pernicious amenia, soon after their engagement, and died several weeks later.
Soon after the loss of Norman, Beatrix bought Hill Top Farm, in the Lake District. In 1913, at the age of 47, she married the solicitor William Heelis, who gave her guidance about buying pieces of land, with the royalties she earned from her books.
Beatrix Potter passed away at Castle Cottage, still in the Lake District, on December 22nd, 1943.
The well-known author of children's books has been gone for over half a century, but Beatrix Potter and her stories is still remembered and still read. People read her books when they first came out and they still read them today. They are still as popular now as they were then.
