J.M. Barrie

J.M. Barrie, whose full name was Sir James Matthew Barrie, was a Scottish author and dramatist born on May 9th, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Angus. He was raised in a large family with ten children and was known for his storytelling abilities from a young age. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, Barrie pursued journalism and worked for a Nottingham newspaper before moving to London in 1885. His early works, such as "Auld Licht Idylls" and "A Window in Thrums," are representative of the Kailyard school and established his reputation as a novelist.

Barrie is best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan, a character that has gained worldwide recognition. Before writing about Peter Pan, Barrie's interest was in theatre, and he met the Llewelyn Davies boys in London, who inspired him to write about a baby boy having magical adventures in Kensington Gardens, included in "The Little White Bird." This led to the creation of "Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," a play about an ageless boy and an ordinary girl named Wendy who have adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland. The play quickly overshadowed his previous work and popularized the name Wendy, which was very uncommon previously.

Barrie unofficially adopted the Davies boys following the deaths of their parents. His connection to the family and their influence on his work led him to give the rights to the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street Hospital, which continues to benefit from them. Barrie's legacy extends beyond Peter Pan, as he was a prominent author and playwright during his time, but his creation of the magical boy who refused to grow up remains his most enduring and well-known work.