īorn into an upper-middle-class household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. In 1903, Peter Rabbit was the first fictional character to be made into a patented stuffed toy, making him the oldest licensed character. An entrepreneur, Potter was a pioneer of character merchandising. Her books, including 23 Tales, have sold more than 250 million copies. She is best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which was her first commercially published work in 1902. Helen Beatrix Potter ( / ˈ b iː ə t r ɪ k s/, 28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist.
