Biography of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated 28 books, including her 23 Tales which have sold more than 100 million copies
Beatrix Potter
Plan a visitThe V&A is a major resource for the study of Beatrix Potter. The museum holds the world's largest collection of her drawings, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs and related materials. Besides studies for her Tales, nursery rhymes and fairy tales, the collection is strong in natural history and landscape watercolours and includes some family archival material.
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The V&A's Potter collections began with Leslie Linder (1904–73), the engineer and Potter enthusiast known for decoding Potter's secret diary. His substantial bequest of artworks led to further acquisitions, including his working papers, Potter family artworks, books and albums.
The V&A also takes care of important loans: individual treasures like the 'Peter Rabbit' picture letter and Beatrix's paint box, the Linder Trust and Beatrix Potter Society collections and Frederick Warne & Co. Archive.
Collection Highlights
Features
Beatrix Potter: drawn from nature
From the age of eight Potter was recording the characteristics of animals, birds and insects
Beatrix Potter's inspirations
From the most mundane everyday objects to majestic landscapes
Peter Rabbit: the tale of 'The Tale'
"I don't know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits, whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter…"
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Background image: The Rabbits' Christmas Party: Roasting Apples, by Beatrix Potter, about 1892, watercolour and pen and ink on paper. Museum no. BP.1471(c), Linder Bequest cat. no. LB.1005. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London