Who wrote, illustrated and then published at her own expense The Tale of Peter Rabbit?

Helen Beatrix Potter, born July 6, 1866, paid for only 250 copies of Peter Rabbit to be printed in December 1901. Two months later, a second edition of 250 copies were printed. Later, in 1902, Beatrix Potter (the name she wrote under) published, again at her own cost, The Tailor of Gloucester. 500 copies were published.

In the year 1903, the publishing firm of Frederick Warne took publication of her books. The first was Squirrel Nutkin which proved to be a great success.

Beatrix’s fame was assured and a long series of books all written and illustrated by her followed, until 1918 when Johny Town-Mouse appeared. Regrettably this was last of her charming little animal books. She continued to produce books, The Fairy Caravan for example in 1928, but none enjoyed the success of Squerrel Nutkin, Two Bad Mice, Mrs Tiggy Winkle, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Flopsy Bunnies and the others that enchanted millions of children everywhere.

Beatrix Potter was the daughter of wealthy parents and never went to school. In fact, she taught herself to draw and although some later artists tried to imitate her inimitable style, none could capture her innate style and emotion.

In 1905 she purchased Hill Top Farm at Sawrey in the English Lake District. Later she was to buy two more farms and specialised in the Herdwick breed of sheep which were particularly suitable for that area. She worked on her farms, wrote her books, married, and died April 30, 1943.