Happy Birthday, Miss Potter

Beatrix Potter was born on this day in 1866, and if you don't know much about her besides the fact that she created the iconic Peter Rabbit and his various adorable animal friends, read on because she was actually a really interesting woman!

Beatrix Potter was educated at home, and was isolated from other children while growing up. Although her parents didn't encourage intellectual pursuits (women weren't encouraged to pursue education during this period), she developed a love of landscape, flora and fauna, which she observed and painted. Her studies and drawing of fungi eventually led to her being widely respected in the field of mycology (the study of fungi and their properties).

While marriage was considered the social norm for women during this period, Beatrix decided instead to pursue a career as a writer and illustrator of children's books. In her thirties, she secretly became engaged to her publisher, Norman Warne, which her parents disapproved of because of his lower social status - the Potter's being of a "higher" social standing. Sadly, Norman passed away before they were married.

Beatrix Potter published 23 children's books in an era when women weren't encouraged to have careers and be financially independent, which is a pretty amazing achievement. In her forties, she married solicitor William Heelis. Dying in 1943, she left most of her property to The National Trust, to protect the natural beauty of the Lake District from developers.

Her books are still widely read today and have been translated into multiple languages, and retold in various formats, such as film, animation and ballet. For a modern day take on Beatrix Potter's life, you can't go past the gorgeous Miss Potter, starring Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.