'She published herself at first, bless her heart, and took it to around a lot of different publishers until Warne, in 1902, said: ‘Yes, we’ll take it, but only if you redo all the pictures in colour’.” Ms Taylor added: “Warne published all 24 of her books. Potter was a frequent visitor to the house, where he lived with his sister and widowed mother.Īfter his death she stayed with the publishers, which was then run by Norman’s two brothers. The Warne family lived and worked in Bedford Square from 1869 and Norman is buried in Highgate. 'Whenever a member of the extended family or friends have a baby we always give them a Beatrix Potter book, usually Peter Rabbit or Jemima Puddleduck.” “I don’t know whether young children actually read Beatrix Potter any more, but they have her books read to them.

'People don’t know their names, but the Warnes have been a major publishing house for decades. 'It is worth doing because publishers so rarely get any sort of national attention. Journalist and children’s author Hunter Davies, who lives in Gospel Oak, said: “It’s a shame they have turned it down. The Beatrix Potter Society has already marked Potter’s Kensington home with a plaque of their own and may now look at awarding Warne a similar privilege.Įnglish Heritage runs the country’s most prestigious plaque series, erecting tributes at properties associated with the famous. “Warne died in his house in Bedford Square, but Potter wasn’t there, she was in Wales. 'There are quite a number from Potter to Warne asking about layout, colours, words, phrasing and production. 'We have copies of hundreds of letters sent between Warne and Potter and it’s a very interesting correspondence.

Judy Taylor, a member of The Beatrix Potter Society, said: “A plaque would have been lovely. They couple met in 1900 when Potter was first searching for a publisher for her original story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. He planned to marry Potter but died a month into their engagement in 1905. The New Journal revealed last week how the conservation body turned down a proposal to honour Norman Warne, who lived and worked in Bedford Square, in Bloomsbury. Pictured, top, is Norman Warne with his nephew, Fred, and, below, Beatrix Potter, age 15, with her dog, SpotīEATRIX Potter fans have criticised a decision by English Heritage to snub the home of her publisher in its prestigious blue plaque scheme.

Beatrix potter and norman warne