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The Story of Beatrix Potter: Her Enchanting Work and Surprising Life
Historian Sarah Gristwood follows Potter from her constricted Victorian childhood to the success and tragedy of the years 1901-13, when she published nearly all her major books yet was denied love by the death of her fiance. Finally, she traces the last 30 years of Potter's life, when she abandoned books to become a working farmer and pioneer of the conservation movement in the early days of the National Trust. Special features throughout the book will show how Beatrix Potter developed many of her most famous characters, including Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, and Jemima Puddleduck.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published November 25, 2021
26 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Gristwood
26 books375 followersSarah Gristwood attended Oxford and then worked as a journalist specializing in the arts and women's issues. She has contributed to The Times, Guardian, Independent, and Evening Standard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 21, 2023
The works of Beatrix Potter have always been very special to me since I was very young, and as an adult, I find I appreciate her talent and stories even more so. For one of my christening presents, my parents bought me a Peter Rabbit crockery set, consisting of a plate, bowl and a cup, and I still own those to this day, tenderly tucked away safely in a cupboard. My Mum loved reading Beatrix Potter stories to me as a child, so to read more about Potter's life was a real treat.
I bought this stunning hardback from Hidcote Gardens, National Trust. I'm pretty sure Beatrix Potter would have loved Hidcote for everything that it is; a calming retreat, brimming with natural beauty.
This is the perfect biography for anyone that would like to know about Beatrix Potter's life, but without all the detail that some might prefer. I enjoyed this very much, and I found the gorgeous photos and drawings to be an exquisite addition to an already beautiful book. I love how photos of Potter's various homes are included, and comparisons to how they look at the present day. I also appreciate how she essentially handed all property and land over to the National Trust, so it may always be preserved and taken care of forever, as without that protection, the beauty she once knew, would probably have been built upon for other purposes.
I adore how Potter was in love with the natural world, and how she always knew that she was made for the country, not for city. She reminds me of myself , in that regard. Getting plenty of time outdoor and appreciating the world around me is very important to me, and I find these wanderings into the countryside not only aid my physical health, but my mental health, too, so I entirely understand Beatrix Potter's love for all of that beauty.
It must have been frustrating for Potter, not being entitled to an education simply due to her sex, and I suppose it would have been even more frustrating when she began her life obsession with nature producing splendid drawings of fungi, only to be be told that she hadn't researched them enough. I'm glad that she didn't let this critics hold her back.
Later this year, I am hoping to take a visit to the Lake District, to the famous Hill Top, which was Potter's home, where I will spend a considerable amount of time there, appreciating her for her keen eye for the natural world.
I bought this stunning hardback from Hidcote Gardens, National Trust. I'm pretty sure Beatrix Potter would have loved Hidcote for everything that it is; a calming retreat, brimming with natural beauty.
This is the perfect biography for anyone that would like to know about Beatrix Potter's life, but without all the detail that some might prefer. I enjoyed this very much, and I found the gorgeous photos and drawings to be an exquisite addition to an already beautiful book. I love how photos of Potter's various homes are included, and comparisons to how they look at the present day. I also appreciate how she essentially handed all property and land over to the National Trust, so it may always be preserved and taken care of forever, as without that protection, the beauty she once knew, would probably have been built upon for other purposes.
I adore how Potter was in love with the natural world, and how she always knew that she was made for the country, not for city. She reminds me of myself , in that regard. Getting plenty of time outdoor and appreciating the world around me is very important to me, and I find these wanderings into the countryside not only aid my physical health, but my mental health, too, so I entirely understand Beatrix Potter's love for all of that beauty.
It must have been frustrating for Potter, not being entitled to an education simply due to her sex, and I suppose it would have been even more frustrating when she began her life obsession with nature producing splendid drawings of fungi, only to be be told that she hadn't researched them enough. I'm glad that she didn't let this critics hold her back.
Later this year, I am hoping to take a visit to the Lake District, to the famous Hill Top, which was Potter's home, where I will spend a considerable amount of time there, appreciating her for her keen eye for the natural world.
January 6, 2022
I think for a lot of people Betrix Potter was their first entry into the more grown-up world of children's books. So I am told my mom read some of them to both me and my brother when we were just wee ones. But I suppose she has become so very quintessentially a part of what a great many think of when they talk about this green and pleasant land. A bastion of a time now long lost to the past. Even if that is to look back on that period of time with very rose-tinted glasses. In many ways, she was also a part of my past those books such once loved now sitting in some dust forgotten corner. It wasn't until a recent trip to the lake district did here name come back into my mind. Through a week spent exploring I started to learn how we owed her a great debt. In great part if not for her I fear that place we have far more hotels and tourist traps replacing a land she hoped to preserve for future generations
I suppose one thing you need to factor in when picking up this book is that it's not some grand tome trying to explore every aspect of Beatrix's life. It is a book put out by the National Trust themselves in the hopes of giving a bit more context into her life. Gristwood has done a grand job of carefully selecting which key moments to include in the work. And in so doing you get an overview of her life from birth to death. Along the way getting to see some of the bigger peaks and valleys of her tale. As someone who didn't have all that great understanding of her, I managed to take away a fair bit of new information about her. But I think if you already have a working knowledge about her then this book might just be treading water for you.
Throughout the book, we are treated to a great many of her paintings helping not only to show where she was at, at various stages of her writing career but also how her style developed. This meshing of text a picture also makes it akin to one of her own books. It means it can be accessible to pretty much anyone. It is best to remember this book is more than likely aimed at the tourist mark to be sold at her various property in the lakes. But for me, it gave me a starting point for learning more about her. She was in many ways a woman who pushed the boundaries of her age but also understood the climate of the age. It certainly gave me a much better understanding of just how much she did for England away from the pages of her books. And just how much she hoped could be saved for children of the future.
I suppose one thing you need to factor in when picking up this book is that it's not some grand tome trying to explore every aspect of Beatrix's life. It is a book put out by the National Trust themselves in the hopes of giving a bit more context into her life. Gristwood has done a grand job of carefully selecting which key moments to include in the work. And in so doing you get an overview of her life from birth to death. Along the way getting to see some of the bigger peaks and valleys of her tale. As someone who didn't have all that great understanding of her, I managed to take away a fair bit of new information about her. But I think if you already have a working knowledge about her then this book might just be treading water for you.
Throughout the book, we are treated to a great many of her paintings helping not only to show where she was at, at various stages of her writing career but also how her style developed. This meshing of text a picture also makes it akin to one of her own books. It means it can be accessible to pretty much anyone. It is best to remember this book is more than likely aimed at the tourist mark to be sold at her various property in the lakes. But for me, it gave me a starting point for learning more about her. She was in many ways a woman who pushed the boundaries of her age but also understood the climate of the age. It certainly gave me a much better understanding of just how much she did for England away from the pages of her books. And just how much she hoped could be saved for children of the future.
August 2, 2024
Delightful and informative read. All the photographs and pictures make this book!
January 1, 2018
Love this book. This is the second biography on Beatrix Potter I have read (and reviewed) and I love this book as much as the last. It is beautifully presented with photographs, illustrations and letters, which makes it a joy to read. Whilst providing information and anecdotes on her younger life and how it influenced her writing and illustrations, I love how the book provides more information about Beatrix's later life and her involvement in the community and helping to set up various national trust for the preservation of nature. This is a great book for Beatrix Potter fans.
February 8, 2017
A beautifully illustrated and photographed introduction into the life of Beatrix Potter, a woman who refused to be pigeonholed. Devoted daughter, lover, beloved author, and ultimately pioneer of the conservation movement. This book was a brief, easy read; it's made me keen to learn more about her.
September 14, 2024
An inspiring woman. Fascinating to hear how she changed and protected the physical landscape of the Lake District. I NEED to visit Hill Top
December 15, 2024
so precious 🥹 beatrix potter was very me coded it seems
August 16, 2025
I enjoyed learning more about this woman and artist. So many different paths in one life.
March 7, 2022
Who knew that the author of Peter Rabbit had such an unusual life :) Born in Victorian London, Beatrix was never educated - only boys went to school - and was also not considered pretty by the then-standards which left her with no bright future prospects. She attempted to educate herself by observing nature and explored the field of mycology, only to be shut down by the man-dominated Linnean Society. Even though her drawings of different mushrooms were impressive, her papers were deemed not well-researched enough. Or was she simply too female for the society's taste?
Her talent in drawing the natural world was remarkable and recognised by her close circle, which led her to create a number of x-mas cards with rabbits on them - her first paid work. She started composing letters to some of her friends' kids which included tales about bunnies - what later became the story of Peter Rabbit, published independently at first, and soon after a worldwide success.
Beatrix Potter married very late in life, when she was already a woman of wealth and with one clear passion: preserving the natural world pristine, especially in the area of her favourite Lake District. She started buying chunks of land in order to protect the region from construction and development. She later donated much of it to the National Trust which looks after the lands and buildings today.
Having read this book, I plan to take my baby who loves Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to her house soon, where we will explore the area the original animals from Beatrix' books once lived in.
Her talent in drawing the natural world was remarkable and recognised by her close circle, which led her to create a number of x-mas cards with rabbits on them - her first paid work. She started composing letters to some of her friends' kids which included tales about bunnies - what later became the story of Peter Rabbit, published independently at first, and soon after a worldwide success.
Beatrix Potter married very late in life, when she was already a woman of wealth and with one clear passion: preserving the natural world pristine, especially in the area of her favourite Lake District. She started buying chunks of land in order to protect the region from construction and development. She later donated much of it to the National Trust which looks after the lands and buildings today.
Having read this book, I plan to take my baby who loves Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to her house soon, where we will explore the area the original animals from Beatrix' books once lived in.
January 8, 2024
A long-time lover of Beatrix Potter's books, I was enthralled to receive this book for Christmas. It is almost as much a treasure as Potter was herself. Finding the person behind the stories is ever a thrilling experience and Gristwood's thorough research makes for much learning and liking of her work. I loved the special paper, the soft muted colours of the pages and the way they provided such a wonderful background for Potter's artwork. I believe the first one of these books came to my notice when my little daughter picked her first ever book from the library almost 50 years ago. She was about 3 and the small hardcover book (Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes) written by Beatrix Potter was the first of many to enter our house. What a happy memory that is. This books brings it all back with well-researched history of the author herself, her difficult life, the travails for a woman of growing up in England during those times, and the way Potter overcame so much. As one might expect the images are wondrous and make up much of the book. Well done, Ms. Gristwood!
November 17, 2022
This is the first time I’ve read a biography about Beatrix Potter. Growing up I never read the Peter Rabbit series or Beatrix’s other works. It wasn’t until adulthood I decided to read the complete works of Beatrix Potter. Obviously I was aware of the characters Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck and Mrs Tiggy-winkle (my favourite).
The Story of Beatrix Potter by Sarah Gristwood is written in a way that tells us so much more about the lady who wrote and illustrated these wonderful tales. In what was a mans day in Victorian England - woman didn’t tend to work or have an education let alone have any input in agriculture, buying livestock, conservation or buying property.
Sarah tells us there was more to Beatrix than just the characters we are all familiar with.
I don’t think books are proof read anymore and people now rely on spellchecker. There were a few instances where the sentence contained additional words that were not needed.
The Story of Beatrix Potter by Sarah Gristwood is written in a way that tells us so much more about the lady who wrote and illustrated these wonderful tales. In what was a mans day in Victorian England - woman didn’t tend to work or have an education let alone have any input in agriculture, buying livestock, conservation or buying property.
Sarah tells us there was more to Beatrix than just the characters we are all familiar with.
I don’t think books are proof read anymore and people now rely on spellchecker. There were a few instances where the sentence contained additional words that were not needed.
July 3, 2018
I must admit to have not grown up reading Beatrix Potter books, but as I have grown up I admire the talent in writing and illustrating them and am not immune to their charms. I liked this book about Beatrix Potters life, from the most Victorian of childhoods where she was more or less isolated at home with her uptight parents. She was surrounded by pets and had a huge interest in nature an adored holidays spent in Scotland and the Lake District.
As her success as an author grew after writing thirty books, she was able to use her income and a legacy from an aunt to buy first one farm, and then many other properties in her beloved Lake District and when she died she gifted the land to the National Trust, preserving their beauty for the generations ahead.
Somehow though I came away feeling sad for this kind and talented woman who seemed to have had a lonely time for a lot of her life.
As her success as an author grew after writing thirty books, she was able to use her income and a legacy from an aunt to buy first one farm, and then many other properties in her beloved Lake District and when she died she gifted the land to the National Trust, preserving their beauty for the generations ahead.
Somehow though I came away feeling sad for this kind and talented woman who seemed to have had a lonely time for a lot of her life.
October 28, 2022
This is the perfect biography if you would just like to know about Beatrix Potter without all the in-depth scholarly discussion. It is very readable and contains just the right amount of information for a beginning biography, particularly if you respond to the visual. The best part for me was the photographs and illustrations. Of course photographs of Beatrix’s life but also of how the places she lived look today. This book is published by the National Trust and Beatrix left the majority of her property to the National Trust, thus being instrumental in protecting large swathes of the area from inappropriate development.
A beautifully presented book. Makes me want to watch Miss Potter again!
A beautifully presented book. Makes me want to watch Miss Potter again!
August 30, 2024
I read this book because personality of Beatrix Potter very inspire me!
I'm usually very skeptical of biographies because they are written by other people through the lens of their vision of the life of the person they are writing about. However, this biography literally consists of lines from Beatrix’s diary, her letters, letters from her loved ones and those who knew her personally.
I really enjoyed reading the story almost literally in the first person and once again being inspired by the work of a wonderful writer!
And a special star for the design of the book; as a book designer, I couldn’t help but pay attention to this.
I'm usually very skeptical of biographies because they are written by other people through the lens of their vision of the life of the person they are writing about. However, this biography literally consists of lines from Beatrix’s diary, her letters, letters from her loved ones and those who knew her personally.
I really enjoyed reading the story almost literally in the first person and once again being inspired by the work of a wonderful writer!
And a special star for the design of the book; as a book designer, I couldn’t help but pay attention to this.
October 31, 2023
This is a wonderfully illustrated and detailed biography of Beatrix Potter, author of many well-loved children's books and a very talented illustrator.
But she was so much more than that, she single-handedly bought up areas of the Lake District and gifted them to the National Trust, which was founded by one of her close friends, saving the area from over-population.
I loved this insight into Beatrix's life which explores much that I didn't already know about. The further reading list and visiting location suggestions are a very nice inclusion.
But she was so much more than that, she single-handedly bought up areas of the Lake District and gifted them to the National Trust, which was founded by one of her close friends, saving the area from over-population.
I loved this insight into Beatrix's life which explores much that I didn't already know about. The further reading list and visiting location suggestions are a very nice inclusion.
December 16, 2024
The words written by Beatrice at the beginning of 1943, at the end of her life’s journey: “I think in difficult times the true philosophy is to keep the mind so far as possible to the trivial round and common task, thinking as little as may be about the things which we cannot mend.” So simply and so rightly said! I’m glad I have this book, which I can just pick it up and flip through, enjoying the beautiful photos and illustrations, or reread the beloved words and descriptions. Never before have I recommended any book. But now I write: I recommend this one !
April 25, 2025
Originally, I read this book to learn more about the author of the beloved Peter Rabbit. However, quickly I discovered there’s a lot more to Beatrix Potter than her charming and timeless stories and illustrations. Beatrix was also an expert in mycology, a conservationist, a breeder of herdwick sheep, a scientist, a merchandising pioneer, a businesswoman, a landowner, and the list goes on and on. There are so many layers to Beatrix Potter’s intelligence and ambition. Yet, at the same time, she was simple and understated. A fascinating woman.
September 9, 2022
Great catalgoue of Beatrix's exploits and true genius even if Gristwood tries too hard to project the politics of today and her own views into the commentary. Beatrix Potter was without a doubt one of the greatest women of her era and one of the best authors of children's literature that the world has ever seen.
April 14, 2023
Wonderful read if you are a fan of Beatrix Potter, it provided lots of information about her life and her works, with lots of quotes from her own letters. It is a national trust book, so it did have a lot of national trust references. I liked that it talked about the after lives of her works in exhibitions and films ect. A really good read
January 6, 2024
I have always been interested in Beatrix Potter and her writing. Got this book from National Trust whom she worked with before she died. I got to explore her life with her and got to know her better. The reason I gave 4 stars is due to wanting to see more of her drawings, especially from her childhood but other than that, it’s a great read!
May 23, 2018
A lovely book; beautifully made, with lovely illustrations and photographs throughout. I’ve not read much on Beatrix Potter, and so this was a wholly immersive book. I’ll admit I wasn’t as entranced as some reviewers, but it was still very interesting.
March 13, 2019
Beautiful, beautiful pages so well put together.
Learnt so many things about Beatrix Potter than I never knew. Never dreamt that she would have been such a woman ahead of her times.
A tale full of pathos and inspiration.
Learnt so many things about Beatrix Potter than I never knew. Never dreamt that she would have been such a woman ahead of her times.
A tale full of pathos and inspiration.
June 14, 2017
A delightful book with wonderful illustrations. I learnt so much more about Beatrix Potter that goes way beyond her little books.
January 28, 2018
A wonderful book.
March 6, 2018
Interesting read. I was not aware of her work with the Land Trust.
March 9, 2018
This is such a beautifully presented book with gorgeous photographs. I will treasure this book forever.
February 19, 2020
A fasinating read.
September 15, 2021
This was a really interesting read, learning more about Beatrix Potter's life before and after writing her books. I had no idea she was one of the founding members of the National Trust
March 17, 2022
An extra star for the amazing photographs.
July 23, 2022
Beautifully put together and easy to read. I've read a biography of Beatrix before, but this ind included some new and interesting information about her life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews