Beatrix Potter: Illustrator, Writer, Natural Scientist and
Conservationist
Christina Weigand
Before I leave the Inklings I wanted to take a look at an
author that inspired C.S. Lewis. I also realized that throughout this series I
have not explored any women authors, so this is my first in the series about a
woman author. I hope to include more women going forward. Now onto Beatrix
Potter.
Helen Beatrix Potter was born July 28, 1866 and died
December 22, 1943 to Rupert and Helen Potter in Southwest London. Potter and her younger brother Walter Bertram
Potter had few friends outside of their large extended family. They had
numerous animals as pets which they observed, drew and studied. Beatrix would
even take her pets with her on long holidays. Along with the study of animals
she studied and drew nature.
During her teen years
she was known to collect fossils, and study archaeological artifacts from London
excavations. She also developed an interest in entomology. She would draw and paint
her specimens and became quite accomplished at it. Eventually her scientific
interests became centered on mycology (the study of fungi). She was fascinated
with their colors and ephemerality, and delighted in painting them.
 |
| By Beatrix Potter - Armitt Museum and Library, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60072281 |
She explored and developed a theory on fungi germination.
When
she wanted to present it to fellow botanists she was rebuffed because of
her sex and amateur status. She submitted her paper to the Linnean Society, a
group dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning
natural history, evolution and taxonomy. It was introduced by a man because a
woman could not attend the proceedings or read her paper. Later she withdrew
the paper, because of contaminated samples. Many of her paintings and
scientific drawings can be seen in museums and art galleries.
Her artistic and literary interests were influenced by fairy
tales and fantasy. Stories from the Old Testament as well as Lewis Carroll’s, Alice in Wonderland were counted among
her many inspirations. Exhibitions at art galleries fed her talents and
developed her critical skills.
To earn money she and her brother printed Christmas cards of
their own design. Mice and rabbits were the most frequent subjects of the cards
and her fantasy paintings. Several of her drawings were purchased to use as
illustrations for verses by Frederic Weatherly titled A Happy Pair. Several more were purchased for another of his books.
The next year frog illustrations were sold for another publication and she
decided she wanted to publish her own illustrated stories.
When Potter was on holiday she would send letters to young
friends that included quick sketches. When she ran out of stories to share with
her young friends four little rabbits named, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and
Peter were born.
Later she revised the tale and made it into a book. When she
couldn’t find a publisher she published it for friends and family at her own
expense. The book was later picked up by the same publisher that had rejected
it and she agreed to color her pen and ink illustrations. Potter continued to
write until after WWI when her attentions shifted to farming, sheep breeding
and land conservation.
She patented a Peter Rabbit doll as well as other spin off
merchandise which earned Potter and independent income and immense profits for
her publisher.
Potter began to use her income and a small inheritance to
purchase Hill Top Farm. The tenant farmer agreed to stay on and manage the farm
while she made improvements and learned the techniques of fell farming and
raising livestock. She continued to buy contiguous properties and became
involved in village life.
She married her solicitor in 1913 and continued to manage
her evergrowing farms. She introduced
Herdwick sheep (an indigenous fell sheep) and became one of the largest
Herdwick sheep farmers in the county.
Her conservation projects helped preserve
farms and fell farming and gained her wide regard.
She continued to write and draw, although it was mostly for
her own enjoyment. Her later books included the semi-autobiographical The Fairy Caravan and Sister Anne, ( a tale of Bluebeard).
When she died she left over 4000 acres of land, sixteen
farms, cottages, and herds of cattle and Herdwick sheep to the National Trust.
Most of the original illustrations for her books were also left to the National
Trust. Copyrights were left to her publisher. Her artwork is displayed in her
husband’s former law offices known as the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Scientific
drawings went to Armitt Library and Museum. Public collections of her letters
and drawings can be seen in museums
around the world.
Photo Credits:
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