The Lady of the Lake District

Have you ever been asked, "If you could have lunch with a famous person, still living or passed away, who would it be?" One person I'd enjoy chatting with over a cup of tea is Beatrix Potter, the British illustrator and writer who brought us the delightful tales of Peter Rabbit, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.

When she was a young girl she sketched her pet rabbits and other animals and plants around her home. She delighted in nature and appreciated beauty. As an adult she persuaded publishers to look at her artwork and eventually the delightful creatures we know and love today were published.

Beatrix' family often visited the Lake District of England in the summer. Once she was an established artist and author, she left her life in London and purchased a farm in the Lake District, where she raised Herdwick sheep. She married William Heelis and embraced the farming life.

Happy 150th Birthday, Beatrix!