Bertha Mahony Miller and Beatrix Potter

Throughout her career as a writer and illustrator ofwhat were the sources of the Peter Rabbit books.
some of the most famous childrens books ever toThis question intrigued Potter - Who was this Bertha
have been published, Beatrix Potter herself shunnedMahoney and what kind of question was that? Potter
publicity and rarely gave interviews. And of course atnever granted the interview but did eventually mail
that time, famous authors didn't have to do theMahony a letter, and Mahony printed it nearly word
grand tour and sign books and give readings tofor word in the Horn Book. In the interview, Potter
promote their books like they do now. But oneattributes her work to "Nonconformist ancestors,
particular request for a meeting did intrigue Potter. Achildhood summers in the company of Scottish
request from Bertha Mahony Miller.witches and fairies, and a precocious memory for
Miller was born in Rockport, MA in 1892 and after aplaces and feelings."
year of secretarial school at Simmons College, sheNeedless to say the two became fast friends and
joined the staff of the Women's Educational andcommunicated across the Pond frequently and
Industrial Union (WEIU), a Boston institution thateventually the letters lead to their shared love of
protected and promoted working women. But it wasliterature, farming and antique furniture. And it was on
her work ten years later that attracted the attentionMay 20, 1927 that Peter Rabbit made a request of
of Beatrix Potter. Mahony opened the Bookshop forMahony. Not for himself mind you - and he offered
Boys and Girls to make sure the children had accesssomething in return. According to Peter, Beatrix
to the best books available. Her store was one ofPotter was trying to raise money to save a strip of
the first of it's kind to offer story hours, art exhibitswoodland and meadow near Windermere Ferry that
and even a poetry series geared for children. It waswas in imminent danger of being taken over by
her goal to instill in children a lifelong love anddevelopers to be stripped of it's natural beauty and
appreciation of reading and in 1924 she created Theused as an extension of the town. Knowing that
Horn Book Magazine, the first magazine devotedmany Americans loved the antiquities on this side of
exclusively to children's books and reading.the Pond, might they be interested in contributing
Potter had never hear of Mahony and The Hornone guinea to help with this endeavor in exchange
Book Magazine and when Mahony was travelingfor an autographed picture?
abroad she asked if she could visit Potter to find out