Historical Women of Letters

06/08/2026

The “interactive presentation with a Beatrix Potter impersonator “ will be me

📚Beatrix Potter Event at the University of Iowa 📚

On July 18th, 2026, The University of Iowa Special Collections & Archives, in partnership with The Beatrix Potter Society, will be hosting a full-day series of events to celebrate 160 years of Beatrix Potter.

Formal details to come, but event planning includes an open house of rare Beatrix Potter and other children’s literature materials housed within the archives, an interactive presentation with a Beatrix Potter impersonator, a Tale of Peter Rabbit story time with staff from the Iowa City Public Library, a tea party, and an academic panel.

Event location will be in Iowa City, Iowa, United States, mainly located at The University of Iowa Main Library in the heart of campus.

06/05/2026

🎂🎉 It’s Austen Chat’s 3rd anniversary, and we're delighted to share "Jane Austen: Material Girl," a conversation between authors Paula Byrne and Hilary Davidson recorded at JASNA’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, while our host Breckyn is on summer break.

Both have written extensively about the significance of material objects in Austen's life and work. Tune in for their lively discussion of ordinary things—toothpick cases, lace cards, muslin shawls, flannel waistcoats, and more—and their extraordinary importance.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app or on our website: https://jasna.org/austen/podcast/ep36/. 🎥 Or watch the video on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/

06/03/2026

Attention The Beatrix Potter Society members and enthusiasts!
This auction is a rare opportunity for collectors in the U.S.

The Beatrix Potter Society is thrilled to announce the Third Annual Beatrix Potter Society Online Auction, to take place September 16th - 20th, 2026.

06/02/2026

Are you considering becoming a Member of The Beatrix Potter Society? Let us tell you all of the wonderful perks of being a Member. We hope you will consider joining us!

-Receive three issues annually of the Society’s full-colour Journal and Newsletter, as well as periodic updates sent via email and post.

-Access to the Members-only website page includes exclusive content, videos and updates from conferences, events and meetings.

-Access to a Members-only group on Facebook.

-Receive free access to Hill Top. Members also receive exclusive access to the Society’s events, conferences, publications and merchandise.

-Receive a 15% discount on cards, books and other publications ordered through our online shop.

-Most importantly, your Membership helps us continue to preserve and carry forth the legacy of Beatrix Potter for future generations!

https://beatrixpottersociety.org.uk/membership/

05/26/2026

Good Morning

In May of 1921, The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Benjamin Bunny are published in French by Frederick Warne & Co., as Pierre Lapin and Jeannot Lapin.

05/20/2026

I was preparing for Reaching Forward North and wondering who I should be that day, when I realized that Friday May 22 is World Goth Day. Mary Shelley it is.

05/16/2026

We will be in the library!

TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS! Because of the weather forecast on Sunday, this event will be held at the Galena Public Library instead of Grant Park. Thank you for understanding!

05/10/2026

Anna Felt was influenced by the generosity of BOTH her parents.