If you take a peek at the 1871 census, living at number 2 Bolton Gardens, Kensington, London, is the Barrister Rupert Potter with his wife Helen, his daughter (also named Helen) and 5 servants. (Ref: piece 53, folio 83, page 43).
Why am I telling you this? Well, Rupert’s daughter Helen was born today, 28th July in 1866, and although her birth was registered as Helen Beatrice, she was to become the author Beatrix Potter.
Beatrix never went to school, which meant that she only knew a few other children. Therefore, like any sensible child, she made friends with her family’s pets instead. These included mice, rabbits, butterflies, bats, frogs and hedgehogs. Although how you could have much interaction with a butterfly, I have no idea…However, she was so fond of the family pets that she also took them away on holiday with her.
Mr McGregor? He was the farmer and main enemy in Beatrix’s Tales of Peter Rabbit.
Why am I telling you this? Well, Rupert’s daughter Helen was born today, 28th July in 1866, and although her birth was registered as Helen Beatrice, she was to become the author Beatrix Potter.
Beatrix never went to school, which meant that she only knew a few other children. Therefore, like any sensible child, she made friends with her family’s pets instead. These included mice, rabbits, butterflies, bats, frogs and hedgehogs. Although how you could have much interaction with a butterfly, I have no idea…However, she was so fond of the family pets that she also took them away on holiday with her.
Mr McGregor? He was the farmer and main enemy in Beatrix’s Tales of Peter Rabbit.
