J. M. Barrie

NAME J.M. Barrie (Sir James Matthew Barrie)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR J.M. Barrie is most famous for creating the iconic character Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up

BIRTH J.M. Barrie was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland.

FAMILY BACKGROUND James Matthew Barrie was the ninth of ten children born to David Barrie, a hand-loom weaver, and Margaret Ogilvy, the daughter of a stone-mason. The Barrie family was of modest means, surviving on the declining weaving trade, and lived in a close-knit, conservative Calvinist household. Two of Barrie’s siblings died before he was born, and the family valued education, ensuring all their children received at least basic schooling in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

CHILDHOOD A pivotal event in Barrie’s early life was the death of his elder brother David, his mother’s favourite, in an ice-skating accident just before his 14th birthday when Barrie was six years old. This tragedy deeply affected the family, especially his mother, who never fully recovered from her grief. Young James, in an effort to console her and win her affection, tried to take David’s place, even wearing his brother’s clothes and imitating his whistle. Barrie later wrote that his mother found some comfort in the idea that her lost son would remain a boy forever—a theme that would profoundly influence Barrie’s later work, especially Peter Pan.

Barrie was a small, imaginative child who drew attention through storytelling and play-acting. He and his friends staged plays in the family wash-house, which later inspired the Wendy House in Peter Pan. His mother, as she gradually recovered from grief, shared stories of her own childhood and local legends with James, which became a rich source of inspiration for his writing. (1)

EDUCATION Barrie’s education was somewhat itinerant, reflecting both family circumstances and the value placed on learning:

At age 8, he was sent to Glasgow Academy to live with his older siblings, Alexander and Mary Ann, who were teachers there. After three years, he returned home and attended Forfar Academy.

At 14, he moved to Dumfries Academy, again under the care of Alexander and Mary Ann, where he became a voracious reader and developed a love for adventure stories and penny dreadfuls.

In Dumfries, Barrie and his friends formed a drama club and produced his first play, Bandolero the Bandit, which was performed at the local theatre and caused a minor controversy due to its content.

After finishing at Dumfries Academy, Barrie returned home and, despite his family’s reservations, was determined to pursue a career as a writer. He enrolled at the University of Edinburgh in 1878, graduating with a master’s degree on April 21, 1882. During his university years, he began writing articles and reviews for local newspapers, laying the foundation for his later literary career. (2)

CAREER RECORD  After university, Barrie began his career as a journalist and later became a successful playwright and novelist. Here's his resume:

Early career as a staff journalist on the Nottingham Journal.

Achieved success with novels like Auld Licht Idylls and A Window in Thrums, set in his Scottish hometown.

Transitioned to playwriting in the 1890s with popular comedies like The Little Minister.

Created Peter Pan in 1904 through the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and subsequent works.

Continued writing successful plays and novels throughout his life.

He once quipped “nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.”

APPEARANCE Barrie was a short, slight man, around 5 ft 3.5 inches, often described as looking younger than his years. He didn't shave until he was 24. 

Barrie had a distinctive profile with a prominent forehead and receding hairline.

Portrait by Herbert Rose Barraud, 1892

FASHION Barrie was known for his simple, neat  and somewhat old-fashioned style of dress, often seen in tweed suits and bowler hats.

CHARACTER Complex and sometimes contradictory, Barrie maintained a childlike sense of wonder, but also experienced deep sadness. He was loyal and supportive to those close to him. Barrie was known to be kind-hearted, imaginative, and introverted. He had a deep sense of empathy and often connected with children more easily than adults.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Barrie possessed a dry and witty sense of humor, often reflected in his writing and conversations.

RELATIONSHIPS J.M. Barrie, the man who wouldn't grow up (when it came to fun, at least), was good pals with a couple named Arthur and Sylvia Llewelyn-Davies. Now, how did a grown man become best mates with some random folks and their sprogs? Well, it all started with some impressive ear and eyebrow gymnastics. Apparently, Barrie could wiggle these things with the dexterity of a startled caterpillar, much to the amusement of Arthur and Sylvia's young sons, George and Jack.

But Barrie wasn't content to be a mere circus act. He wanted to truly captivate these kids. So, he began spinning a yarn about their little brother, Peter, who, believe it or not, could actually fly. Now, this wasn't some outlandish boast – oh no. Barrie had a perfectly logical explanation! Babies, you see, were just birds in disguise before they hatched (those pesky nursery bars? Clearly there to stop the little fledglings from making a break for it). This fantastical whopper blossomed into a full-fledged story about a baby boy who did just that – flew the coop, never to grow up and face the drudgery of adulthood.

Life, however, wasn't all whimsical tales for Barrie. Tragedy struck when both Arthur and Sylvia passed away, leaving behind their five sons. Barrie, ever the devoted friend and adopted the whole lot. Sadly, heartbreak followed him. George was killed in action in 1915 and Michael drowned in 1921.

On the domestic front, things weren't exactly a walk in Neverland either. Barrie married actress Mary Ansell on July 9, 1894, but according to reports, the marriage remained unconsummated, leaving them without children of their own. The whole thing eventually fizzled out when Mary took a shine to a fellow named Gilbert Cannan, leading to a divorce in 1909. Authorial pals like H.G. Wells tried to patch things up, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Mary Ansell in 1891

Thankfully, Barrie found solace in his circle of eccentric friends. There was George Bernard Shaw, the grumpy neighbor who somehow got roped into a Western movie Barrie dreamt up. Then there was H.G. Wells again, always good for a chat and a shoulder to cry on. He even became godfather to the son of the famed Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, and was entrusted with a letter Scott wrote in his final hours, a token Barrie cherished for the rest of his days.

MONEY AND FAME Barrie achieved both wealth and fame during his lifetime, particularly after the success of Peter Pan. However, he remained modest in his lifestyle.

FOOD AND DRINK Barrie enjoyed simple Scottish cuisine, often preferring traditional dishes like haggis and porridge.

MUSIC AND ARTS Barrie had a great appreciation for the arts and enjoyed attending plays, operas, and concerts.

The first appearance of Peter Pan came in Barrie's 1902 novel The Little White Bird. But it wasn't until 1904 that Peter truly spread his wings on the stage with the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, which had its first stage performance at the Duke of York's Theatre, London on December 27, 1904. This production introduced the world to the name "Wendy," inspired by a little girl named Margaret Henley who, bless her heart, couldn't quite manage her Rs. So "Friendy" Barrie became "Fwendy" Barrie, and a pop culture icon was born.

Announcement of the original play 

LITERATURE Barrie was an avid reader and drew inspiration from classic literature and fairy tales.

After 18 months working as a journalist, J.M. Barrie, fresh-faced and itching to make his mark on the world, found himself back in his Scottish hometown of Kirriemuir. Feeling a touch of nostalgia (or maybe just bored), he raided his dear old mum's memory bank for stories about the place (helpfully renamed "Thrums" for dramatic effect).

He whipped up a piece based on these tales and fired it off to a posh London paper called the St. James's Gazette. The editor, a fellow with a penchant for all things vaguely Scottish ("liked that Scotch thing" as he probably put it), lapped it up. Barrie, ever the opportunist, turned this into a whole series.

These Thrums stories became the foundation for his first novels: titles like Auld Licht Idylls and A Window in Thrums just ooze early-morning pipe smoke and tartan waistcoats. They went down a storm at the time, propelling Barrie into the ranks of successful writer-blokes.

Buoyed by this success, he took a punt on a novel called Better Dead – entirely self-funded, Sadly, it landed with a thud like a soggy haggis.

Undeterred, he embarked on his "Tommy" novels – tales of a boy named Tommy who clung to childish fantasy with the desperation of a limpet on a rock. Spoiler alert: things didn't end well for young Tommy. But hey, not every story has a happy ending, right?

Peter Pan first took flight (on paper, that is) in Barrie's novel, The Little White Bird, which did the whole serialization thing in the US before landing as a single book in the UK in 1902. 

NATURE Barrie loved spending time outdoors, especially in the Scottish countryside, which often found its way into his writing.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Barrie enjoyed playing cricket and was also fond of fishing.

Barrie founded a cricket team for his literary mates in 1890. They called themselves the glorious "Allahakbarries," which apparently meant "Heaven help us" in Arabic according to Barrie (though someone clearly forgot to check the phrasebook).

This motley crew, featuring literary giants like Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, probably spent more time picnicking and reminiscing than actually playing cricket. But who can blame them? Imagine swapping literary war stories with those guys on a sunny afternoon. Sounds like a much better use of time than chasing a leather ball around a field.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Barrie had a keen interest in science and mathematics, which occasionally appeared in his works.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Barrie was raised in a strict Calvinist household, but his personal beliefs are unclear. His first novel, Auld Licht Idylls, depicted the "Auld Lichts", a strict religious sect to which his grandfather had once belonged.

Barrie's writing often explored themes of childhood, innocence, and the passage of time, reflecting his philosophical outlook on life.

SCANDAL There were no major scandals associated with Barrie's personal life, although there has been speculation and controversy over his relationships with the Llewelyn Davies children.

MILITARY RECORD Barrie did not serve in the military.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Barrie suffered from health issues throughout his life, including a persistent case of psychosomatic pains and possible psychogenic dwarfism.

Barrie's most delightful contribution to the world wasn't a story or a play, but a grand gesture. In 1929, he gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital, the legendary children's hospital in London. This act of generosity ensured that for every performance of Peter Pan, a little bit of Neverland magic would sprinkle financial fairy dust on the hospital, helping countless sick kids have their own adventures.

HOMES Barrie spent his early life in Kirriemuir, Scotland, where his family home is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

After attending university in Edinburgh, he moved to London to pursue his writing career.

In London, he lived in various places, including 133 Gloucester Road, Kensington, and 100 Bayswater Road overlooking Kensington Gardens. 

Black Lake Cottage at Farnham in Surrey, was his bolt hole where Barrie could entertain his cricketing friends and the Llewelyn Davies family.

TRAVEL His travels likely consisted mainly of trips within Britain, possibly for holidays or to visit friends and family.

Inspiration for his writing often came from his Scottish roots, and he may not have felt a strong need to travel far for creative fuel.

DEATH Barrie died of pneumonia on June 19, 1937 in London aged 77. He is buried at Kirriemuir next to his parents and two of his siblings.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA  Barrie has been portrayed in various films and television adaptations, notably in the biographical film Finding Neverland (2004), which explores his relationship with the Llewelyn Davies family.

ACHIEVEMENTS Barrie's greatest achievement remains the enduring legacy of "Peter Pan," which continues to captivate audiences worldwide and has inspired countless adaptations in literature, theater, film, and beyond. His contributions to children's literature and storytelling have left an indelible mark on literary history.

Sources (1) Early Bird Books (2) National Trust For Scotland