A NEW biography about one of the world’s best known children’s authors has been published.
‘The real Beatrix Potter’ has been written by former entertainment reporter Nadia Cohen, who has written a series of in depth biographies on authors including Roald Dahl and AA Milne.
“I think she was ahead of her time in that she was a feminist and eco warrior long before people really knew what those terms meant,” said Ms Cohen.
The literary icon was born in 1866 in London, but fell in love with the Lake District during family holidays to the area.
Her many books were inspired by the landscape, the sales of which she used to buy property and land in the region.
When she died in 1943, Beatrix Potter left fourteen farms and 4000 acres of land to the National Trust.
Her gift has been paramount in the conservation of the Lake District that so many enjoy today.
“I was always a huge fan of hers as a child,” said Ms Cohen.
“I’m very interested in female authors, being one I suppose.
“I wanted to find out how it would have been like to defy your class, your parents.
“She didn’t get married until it was far too late for her to have children, things that were very unusual in those days.
“She fought against the system, I wanted to know more.”
There have been many books about the author’s life, however Ms Cohen wanted to delve deeper into the legacy Beatrix Potter left behind.
“Her story has been well told,” she said.
“But I wanted to bring it up to date and talk about the legacy she left for the nation and how important that is now.
“Particularly now when things are changing so quickly, I wanted to encapsulate it all in one book.”
The book, published with Pen and Sword, has already sold out but can be bought as an ebook or preordered for the next edition.
Ms Cohen expressed her surprise at how quickly the book sold out.
“I wonder if it’s down to lockdown, people may have more time to read.”
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