Greta Van Susteren
American commentator, television personality, and lawyer
J.M. Barrie was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best known as the creator of the beloved character Peter Pan. He wrote several successful novels and plays, and his work continues to inspire and delight readers and audiences around the world.
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About the J. M. Barrie
Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several successful novels and plays. There he met the Llewelyn Davies boys, who inspired him to write about a baby boy who has magical adventures in Kensington Gardens (first included in Barrie’s 1902 adult novel The Little White Bird), then to write Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, a 1904 West End “fairy play” about an ageless boy and an ordinary girl named Wendy who have adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland.
Although he continued to write successfully, Peter Pan overshadowed his other work, and is credited with popularising the name Wendy. Barrie unofficially adopted the Davies boys following the deaths of their parents. Barrie was made a baronet by George V on 14 June 1913, and a member of the Order of Merit in the 1922 New Year Honours. Before his death, he gave the rights to the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, which continues to benefit from them.
Frequently Asked Questions
J.M. Barrie was a Scottish novelist and playwright who lived from 1860 to 1937. He is best remembered as the creator of the iconic character Peter Pan.
Barrie wrote several successful novels and plays, including the beloved story of Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. He is credited with popularizing the name ‘Wendy’ through his Peter Pan works.
Barrie was inspired to write about Peter Pan after meeting the Llewelyn Davies boys, who he later unofficially adopted after the deaths of their parents. The character and his adventures in Neverland were first introduced in Barrie’s 1902 adult novel The Little White Bird.
Barrie was made a baronet by King George V in 1913 and was awarded membership in the Order of Merit in 1922. Before his death, he also gave the rights to the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, which continues to benefit from them.
Barrie’s interactions with the Llewelyn Davies boys and the loss of their parents greatly influenced his creation of Peter Pan and the fantastical world of Neverland. His own life experiences and imagination contributed to the enduring appeal of his most famous work.
J.M. Barrie’s legacy is defined by his creation of the timeless character of Peter Pan, which has captivated audiences for generations. His work continues to inspire new adaptations and interpretations, solidifying his place as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
J.M. Barrie was born and educated in Scotland before moving to London, where he wrote many of his successful novels and plays.
8 Quotes by J. M. Barrie
- 1.
You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 2.
Ambition it is the last infirmity of noble minds.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 3.
We are all failures at least, all the best of us are.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 4.
Every time a child says I don’t believe in fairies there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 5.
His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants’ hall.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 6.
That is ever the way. Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 7.
It’s a sort of bloom on a woman. If you have it, you don’t need to have anything else; and if you don’t have it, it doesn’t much matter what else you have.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright
- 8.
Every man who is high up likes to think he has done it all himself; and the wife smiles, and lets it go at that. It’s our only joke. Every woman knows that.
J. M. BarrieScottish writer and playwright