Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 - 22 December 1943) was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children's books, featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which celebrated the British landscape and country life.
Born into a wealthy family, Potter grew up with few friends outside her large extended family. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature and enjoyed the countryside. As children Beatrix had numerous small animals as pets which she observed closely and drew endlessly. Summer holidays were spent away from London, in Scotland and in the English Lake District where Beatrix developed a love of the natural world which was the subject of her painting from an early age.
