Helen Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)
Beatrix Potter was important English illustrator of picture books whose work surpassed the fields of children's literature with in-depth studies in nature, which were only discovered lately, but certainly made an impact on her imaginative world of Pater Rabbit and other characters.
She was born in wealthy family with lots of artistic talents, which was cherished at Beatrix from her early years. Tutored by three governesses in art, science, literature and history, she and her brother Bertram had numerous small pets like mice, rabbits and even bats. These animals made a base for her later literary works.
As usual I tried to find few interesting facts from life of Beatrix Potter to spread the information and amuse the audience.
1. Her first passion were natural sciences. She collected fossils, draw insects, but her biggest achievement was probably study in reproduction of fungi, where he developed much better theory than the existing one. Unfortunately as a woman and amateur she didn't get the ability to properly present and develop it.
2. Young Helen Beatrix Potter was influenced by numerous contemporary artists like John Tenniel, Walter Crane, Kate Greenaway and especially Randolph Caldecott whose books were collected by her father. Sir John Everett Millais was a family friend. He noticed her talent of observation and helped her to develop it even further.
3. One of her most tremendous achievements was conservation of Lake District. She inherited small fortune of her aunt and earned pretty well with her picture books what gave her opportunity to buy small village and later few neighboring farms what eventually led to establishment of Lake District National Park, now owned by National Trust, the main heir of her legacy.
She did so much more than Peter Rabbit, didn't she?
Comments
Post a Comment