Beatrix Potter was a regular visitor to the Common from the 1890s.

Aged 17 she gained a companion and teacher, Annie Carter, who became a firm friend. The latter married Edwin Moore and soon after the birth of the Moore’s first son Noel they moved into newly-built Baskerville Road, adjacent to the Common.

Beatrix would regularly bring one of her own pet rabbits or mice to amuse the children, and also sent them letters and stories, illustrated with sketches. One letter, written to Noel when he was ill with scarlet fever, tells the story of four little rabbits, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. Annie suggested to Beatrix that this would make a good book.

Initially rejected by six publishers, Beatrix published it herself, with great success. The publishers reconsidered and the official ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ was published in 1901.

This and other tales of people associated with the Common are told in ‘The Wandsworth Common Story’, to be published by the Friends’ Heritage group in May.

Potter, Beatrix. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Strangeways & Sons, 1901. Special Collections and University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

Photo credit Lindsay Moen