A NEW biography, The Real Beatrix Potter, has been released, detailing the life of the beloved children’s author whose books have enchanted generations of readers.

The biography, published by Pen & Sword Books, and written by historical and contemporary biography writer Nadia Cohen, speaks of Beatrix in a repressed Victorian world.

Beatrix educated herself in art, science and a love of nature in a time that girls education was not deemed important.

The success of Peter Rabbit proved her genius.

But when her fiancé tragically died Beatrix retreated to the Lake District where she became a successful farmer, businesswoman and early environmental pioneer.

Campaigning to save the area from development, she helped establish the National Trust.