Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866, in London. Her family was rich and lived off inheritances on both her mother and father's sides.
Potter was generally isolated from other children when she was growing up as she was home-schooled and her brother was sent away for school. She had a variety of pets that may have influenced the inclusion of animals in much of her literature.
Potter kept a detailed journal after she turned 15. She wrote the diary in a complex code of her own design. It was not until 15 years after her death that the code was broken.
Along with "Peter Rabbit" she also wrote "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin" in 1903 and "The Tale of Little Pig Robinson" in 1930. By the end of her literary career, Potter had written 23 tales.
Potter died on December 22, 1943, in Sawrey, England. She was cremated after her death and her ashes were spread over the Sawrey countryside.
The character of Peter Rabbit was turned into a doll in 1903 after the success of the book. This doll was patented and became the first licensed character.