We aim to celebrate the life and works of Beatrix Potter. The Society seeks to inform the public about and promote research into the life and works of Beatrix Potter in charitable ways and for the public benefit.

Who we are

The Beatrix Potter Society has been registered as a charity in the United Kingdom since 1980. We exist to promote the study and appreciation of the life and works of Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943), who was not only the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other classics of children’s literature, but also a landscape and natural history artist, diarist, farmer and preservationist. She was also responsible for the preservation of large areas of the Lake District through her gifts to the National Trust.

The Beatrix Potter Society upholds and protects the integrity of the inimitable and unique work of Beatrix Potter, her aims and bequests and brings together on a worldwide basis those people who share
these interests.

Beatrix Potter with her dog Spot / The Beatrix Potter Society

What we do

The Society seeks to educate the public in, and promote research into, the life and works of Beatrix Potter by charitable ways and for the public benefit, and the Society publishes the results of research. To achieve these aims, the Society:

Worldwide Members
Worldwide Events
40+ Years Established (1980)
Unique items in our collection

Dame Patricia Routledge DBE

Patron

We are very proud to have Dame Patricia Routledge as our Patron.

She played Beatrix Potter in the stage play ‘Beatrix’ in 1997, and in 2016 she starred in the TV documentary ‘Beatrix Potter with Patricia Routledge’.

She has been the Patron of The Beatrix Potter Society since 2012.

Our Collection

Objects owned by The Beatrix Potter Society

The Beatrix Potter Society is in the lucky possession of some of Beatrix Potter’s letters, personal items, such as her walking sticks and her collector’s cabinet, and several pieces of artwork owned or made by Beatrix Potter. Most are on long-term loans to the National Trust or the V&A, where you can make an appointment to view the collection.

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How to

Support us

Latest Events

Research & Event Funding

Conference scholarships

The Beatrix Potter Society holds biennial conferences in the UK – and occasionally in the USA. It can offer scholarships for up to two scholars to attend these conferences as full residents. The scholarship(s) include a one-year membership of The Beatrix Potter Society, including receipt of the quarterly Journal and Newsletter. The scholarships are funded from the Society’s general donations fund. They are aimed at people who are undertaking Potter connected research and studies.

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Awards

The Jane Morse Memorial Fund (JMMF), launched in 2012, recognises the lasting contributions made by the late Jane Morse to The Beatrix Potter Society as Vice-President, North American Liaison Officer, author, educator and mentor. The Fund offers Beatrix Potter Society Members the opportunity to apply for partial financial assistance to register for specific Beatrix Potter Society meetings, events or conferences

The Fund is supported solely from specific donations made by Society Members and others. Donations to the Fund may be made at any time by cheque, in UK (£), US ($), or by credit card. Please contact us for more information.

Any Member of The Beatrix Potter Society may apply for a Jane Morse Award. Applicants must be Members at the time the event/conference occurs and at the time of application.

The Jane Morse Memorial Fund Committee will put a notice of availability and an application deadline in the Journal and Newsletter, on the website and in ‘Pottering About’ before the eligible event. Applicants may receive only one such award per five years.

Yes, the scholarship may be up to 50 per cent of the applicant’s registration fee, not to exceed £300 / US$450.

This is a reimbursement programme. Awardees will receive their funding after they have provided their written report.

The 600-word report, which must be received within two months following the event, can cover any aspect of your attendance such as a summary of the event, a description of a particular workshop, a favourite place you visited (in the case of field trips), etc. The editor of the Journal and Newsletter will receive a copy of your report and may make arrangements with you for it to be published.

The Jane Morse Scholarship Fund Committee strives to make awards based on the quality of each application. However, the Committee is likely to give preference to first time applicants.

The Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary of The Beatrix Potter Society and one other Society Member.

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Additional Resources

Download our additional resources here

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