Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature

Description

Beatrix Potter's books are adored by millions, but they were just one aspect of an extraordinary life. This captivating biography brings us the passionate, unconventional woman behind the beloved stories- a gifted artist and shrewd businesswoman; a pioneering scientific researcher; a powerful landowner who conserved acres of Lakeland countryside; a daughter who defied her parents with her first, tragically short, engagement and who, finally, was given a second chance of love and happiness.

Always intrigued by how the lives of artists and writers have been influenced by the natural world, Linda Lear discovered quite by accident that Beatrix Potter had passions and interests way beyond those of her legendary series of little books for children. A professor of environmental history and the author of the prize-winning biography, Rachel Carson: Witness of Nature, Lear is an enthusiastic horticulturalist and collector of botanical art.

one of the most interesting Englishwomen of her time Charlotte Moore Curl up will Lear's excellent new biography Daily Mail Potter's marvellous voice, captured in letters and journals, comes through loud and clear ... Lear gives us much to consider about this unfamiliar and remarkable woman -- Lavinia Greenlaw Daily Telegraph Lear blasts through the myths and misconceptions to reveal a Victorian rebel ... biography at its inspiring, riveting best Scotland on Sunday The fullest and most authoritative biography of Potter to date Independent on Sunday