James Matthew Barrie: 1860-1937

James Matthew Barrie was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Scotland. He was the ninth child of a lower middle class family. At the age of 13, Barrie left his home village. At school he became interested in theatre and devoured works by such authors as Jules Verne, and James Fenimore Cooper. Barrie attended Glasgow Academy and Dumfries Academy. In 1878 he enrolled in Edinburgh University, where he graduated in four years with a master's degree.

In 1888 Barrie gained his first literary success with Auld Licht Idylls, sketches of Scottish life. Critics praised its originality. His melodramatic novel, The Little Minister, became a huge success, and was filmed later three times.

J M Barrie married an actress in 1894, and when they were on honeymoon in Switzerland they bought a St Bernard puppy. This dog was to become an important part of his most successful play, Peter Pan. It is the story of a boy who refuses to grow up and creates his own world of Indians, pirates, and fairies. Peter Pan was produced for the stage in 1904 but appeared as a narrative story only in 1911. It was adapted as a play with music, as a musical comedy, and several film versions have been made.

In 1909 Barrie's wife began an affair with a writer and their marriage ended.

Barrie was very famous and was visited by politicians and royalty, as well as movie stars, such as Charlie Chaplin.

He died on June 3, 1937.