Beatrix Potter Interview
By Eva Gordon
Note: This interview is purely a work of fiction. We never had this conversation. Helen Beatrix Potter died in 1943.
“Welcome
to the Mush-Room, today we are interviewing Beatrix Potter, the author of
numerous children’s books such as a Tale of Peter Rabbit, as well as numerous
others. Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 in a suburb of London, England. She
became intrigued with natural history at the age of five while vacationing in
Scotland and the family property in the Lake District. Beatrix was on track to
become a scientist.”
Beatrix Potter enters into my cottage
made entirely of mycelium, thanks to our local green builder.
Me: “Welcome
to the Mush-Room, Ms. Potter.” I guide
her to a seat.
BP: “Thank
you, please call me Beatrix.”
Me: I lift the small kettle. “Tea?”
BP: “Yes,
please.”
Me: I pour her a cup of Earl Grey infused with
Reishi. “How did you get interested in mushrooms?”
BP: “I
spent part of my childhood on holiday in Scotland. I was always on the lookout
for animals and plants. Yet, mushrooms caught my eyes. Mushrooms were a kaleidoscope
of color. Brilliant. They sprouted so mysteriously and I imagined fairies dancing around
them. Whilst in Scotland, I met a kind postman named Charles McIntosh who like
me was fascinated by natural history. We formed a strong bond and it was he who
inspired me to study fungi. When I returned to London, Mr. McIntosh sent me mushroom
specimens for me to draw and study.”
Me: “Did
you attend traditional schools?”
BP: “No.
I was educated by several governesses.” (She
smiles as if in memory of pestering her governesses with millions of questions).
Me: “Tell
us about your study mycology?”
BP: “I
set my mind to collect, draw and describe them as would any scientist. My
illustrations and painting were quite detailed.”
Me: “Beautiful. How many did you draw?”
BP: “Including
Lichen, about 350 mushroom paintings.”
Me: “That’s
amazing. I can only imagine how many hours it took for each drawing.”
BP: “I
loved painting so it was a labor of love.”
Me: “Not
to mention all the research into describing each specimen.”
BP: “Indeed.
I sketched every part of the mushroom from gills to stem. With my microscope I
studied the mushroom spores. I had a million questions about mushrooms such as
what habitat they are found in, and do spores sprout like seeds? “
Me: “And
so you decided to seek answers on spores.”
BP: “Yes,
I set my mind to grow spores. Indeed, they grew from a tangle of filaments. I
managed to sprout 40 kinds of mushrooms. Unheard of amongst mycologists. My
scientist friend, George Massee repeated my protocol and was successful in
growing mushrooms. I went ahead and wrote my paper entitled, On the Germination of Spores of Agaricineae.”
Me: “This
is the one you presented to the Linnean Society for publication?”
BP: “Actually,
because women were not allowed to be members of the Linnean Society, George
Massee submitted my paper.”
Me: “What
happened then?”
BP: “They
turned it down. Apparently, they felt my research needed more work.” She scoffed. “My lack of formal university education and
sex was the real obstacles to my future as a scientist. I felt dejected and my
life took a different path. I went on to illustrate stories for children.”
Me: “I’m
sorry to hear this. Today, women don’t have to worry about such barriers to
become scientists. Did you know that in 1967 the Linnean Society apologized for
how they treated you and other women scientists?”
BP: Beatrix smiles ruefully. “Did they now?”
Me: “Not
only were they late to apologizing, but we were late in placing Fungi in their
own kingdom until 1969.”
BP: She twisted her bro. “Interesting.”
Me: “What
would like to tell young women about pursuing science and others who wish to
study mycology?”
BP: “Be
meticulous collecting your data and don’t let sociological norms stop you.
Research and publish.”
Me: “Thank
you for being our guest . We appreciate your studies in mycology
and your wonderful children's stories. ”
Mush-Room Resources.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6711238/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter#Scientific_illustrations_and_work_in_mycology
