She was raised by assorted nannies and tutors in a house on Kensington square in London. In the summers, they went to the Lake District where she spent her time observing the local wildlife. Potters lived near major museums in London so that Beatrix spent time examining natural science exhibits in the Kensington and British Museum of Natural History. She took lessons in drawing, gaining a Certificate from the Science and Art Department of the Committe of Council on Education. She learned the technical aspects of scientific illustration and exhibition techniques of microscopic plates and specimen mounting. She was interested in entomology, geology and paleontolgy, but spent much time studying fungi.
Her uncle, Sir Henry Roscoe, was impressed with her work and encouraged her to publish it; but she was met with disdain from the scientific community which was dominated by men. Although she wrote a paper for the Linnaean Society, it was read by a man, as women could not gain entry.
The stories of Peter Rabbit originated in picture letters that she sent to her former governess' children. Noel Moore had scarlet fever which constrained him to bed. As anyone who has been ill for more than three days, a long illness is very tedious, particularly when activities are discouraged. Instead of playing tag outside, the patient is restlessly awaiting release from prison. Another writer who became very famous for his children's works was Robert Louis Stevenson, who also suffered severe illness and isolation as a child.
Beatrix was probably sensitive to the plight of Noel Moore as a result of her own experience of being alone. The story was extended and Beatrix sent it to six publishers who refused it. She published the first volume herself, using black and white illustrations, but then approached Frederick Warne & Co a second time. The book was published using color illustrations that are so familiar to us now, until Warne decided to modernize them a few years ago, thereby offending Potter's very loyal readers.
Why?
Who knows. Publishers get some odd ideas in their heads about improving the circulation or creating fads. Many of the books with their original illustrations can be found within the Etext Library at the University of Virginia.
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