Helena Beatson facts for kids

Helena Beatson (1762–1839) was a talented artist from Scotland who created beautiful drawings using pastels. She was known for her artistic skills from a very young age.

Early Life and Amazing Talent

Helena Beatson was born in Kilrie, Fife, Scotland. Her father, Robert Beatson, was a writer. Her aunt, Catherine Read, was also a famous artist and became Helena's teacher. Catherine even drew two portraits of young Helena.

Helena was a true child prodigy, which means she had amazing talent at a very early age. When she was just eight years old, in 1771, she secretly sent some of her drawings to the Society of Artists. These drawings were so good that a famous writer named Horace Walpole praised them!

A few years later, in 1774, two of her drawings were shown at the important Royal Academy art exhibition. Around that time, another famous writer, Fanny Burney, met Helena. Fanny Burney was amazed by Helena's skills, calling her "a most astonishing genius" and "a very wonderful girl," especially since Helena hadn't had much formal training.

Travels and Later Life

Helena Beatson was also quite a traveler for her time. In 1772, she visited Charleston, South Carolina in America. Her trip was even mentioned in the local newspaper!

A few years later, she traveled with her aunt Catherine Read all the way to India. While in India in 1777, Helena got married to Sir Charles Oakeley, 1st Baronet. He later became the governor of Madras, which meant he was a very important leader in that part of India.

The next year, Helena gave birth to a son, who was also named Charles. After becoming a wife and mother, it seems Helena stopped creating art.

Lady Oakeley, as she was known after her marriage, passed away at Lichfield Palace in 1839.