Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) wrote and illustrated some two dozen children's books that are now considered classics, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Although Beatrix Potter's name may not be a household word, that of her first artistic creation, Peter Rabbit, certainly is. An entire industry has sprung up around this beloved character; one can find his image on everything from tea towels to toys. In 1993, when The Tale of Peter Rabbit marked the one-hundredth anniversary of its official publication, people around the world commemorated the event with parties and other celebrations. Given their enduring appeal, he and Potter's other memorable animal characters will likely live on for many generations to come.

Helen Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866, in Bolton Gardens, Kensington, England. Her father, Rupert, was a wealthy barrister who derived his most of his fortune (as did his wife's family) from the Lancashire cotton industry. Even...