J. M. Barrie

Easton Press J. M. Barrie books

Peter Pan - Collector's Edition - 1987
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: From the Little White Bird - Collector's Edition - 1992
Peter Pan and Wendy - Library of Famous Editions - 2002
Peter Pan - part of 4 Volume Classics of Enchantment set

 

J. M. Barrie biography

Sir James Matthew Barrie, known as J. M. Barrie, was a Scottish playwright, novelist, and creator of one of the most beloved characters in children's literature, Peter Pan. He was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. Barrie's early life was marked by tragedy when his older brother David died in a skating accident just before his 14th birthday. As a child, Barrie found solace and inspiration in the world of literature, losing himself in the pages of books and developing a vivid imagination that would later shape his own narratives Barrie would later say that his mother's grief over David's death led to a lifelong attempt to comfort her, shaping his imaginative and playful outlook on life. Barrie studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he began his writing career with articles and essays. His early works gained recognition, and he eventually moved to London to pursue a career in writing and journalism. His first successful novels, including Auld Licht Idylls (1888) and A Window in Thrums (1889), drew inspiration from his Scottish upbringing.

However, it was the creation of Peter Pan that would define J. M. Barrie's legacy. The character first appeared in the adult novel The Little White Bird (1902) and later in the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up (1904). The play's success led to the novel Peter and Wendy (1911), introducing Peter Pan to a wider audience. The story of the boy who never grows up, accompanied by Wendy, John, Michael, and the fairy Tinker Bell, became a timeless classic, captivating generations of readers and audiences. The success of Peter Pan extended beyond the stage, with Barrie adapting the play into a novel, Peter and Wendy (1911), further solidifying the timeless appeal of the character. The story, with its themes of escapism, the power of belief, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, resonated with readers and secured Barrie's place as a master storyteller. Yet, Barrie's narrative journey encompassed more than the adventures of Peter Pan. His novels, including The Little White Bird and Tommy and Grizel (1900), showcased his ability to delve into the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of the human experience. Barrie's writing, characterized by its whimsy and gentle humor, revealed a profound understanding of the human heart.

Barrie's personal life was marked by his friendship with the Llewelyn Davies family, particularly the boys—George, John, Peter, Michael, and Nicholas—who inspired the characters in Peter Pan. Tragically, several of the boys lost their lives prematurely, contributing to a melancholic aspect of Barrie's life. As the years unfolded, Barrie's life took on a mixture of triumph and tragedy. The success of Peter Pan brought him international acclaim, but personal losses, including the death of some of the Llewelyn Davies boys and his marriage ending in divorce, cast shadows over his later years.

In recognition of his contributions to literature, J. M. Barrie was knighted in 1913. He continued to write plays, novels, and essays throughout his career. Notable works include Dear Brutus (1917) and Mary Rose (1920). J. M. Barrie passed away on June 19, 1937, in London. His legacy endures through the timeless magic of Peter Pan, a character who continues to enchant and inspire imaginations worldwide. The character's universal appeal and the enchanting worlds Barrie created ensure his place in the pantheon of literary greats.

 

Peter Pan

Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who refuses to grow up, lands in the Darling's proper middle-class home to look for his shadow. He befriends Wendy, John and Michael and teaches them to fly (with a little help from fairy dust). He and Tinker Bell whisk them off to Never-land where they encounter the Red Indians, the Little Lost Boys, pirates and the dastardly Captain Hook.

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J.M. Barrie. Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up, is one of the immortals of children's literature. J.M. Barrie first created Peter Pan as a baby, living in secret with the birds and fairies in the middle of London, but as the children for whom he invented the stories grew older, so too did Peter, reappearing in Neverland, where he was aided in his epic battles with Red Indians and pirates by the motherly and resourceful Wendy Darling. With their contrary lures of home and escape, childhood and maturity, safety and high adventure, these unforgettable tales are equally popular with children and adults.

Peter Pan and Wendy

Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up or Peter and Wendy is a work by J. M. Barrie, in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel. Both versions tell the story of Peter Pan, a mischievous yet innocent little boy who can fly, and has many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by mermaids, fairies, Native Americans and pirates. The Peter Pan stories also involve the characters Wendy Darling and her two brothers, Peter's fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook. The play and novel were inspired by Barrie's friendship with the Llewelyn Davies family. Barrie continued to revise the play for years after its debut until publication of the play script in 1928.

J. M. Barrie Quotes

"To die will be an awfully big adventure."
"All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust."
"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it."
"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it."
"Life is a long lesson in humility."
"The best of happiness is the least of pain."
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
"When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."
"Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands!"
"We are all failures at least, all the best of us are."