J.M. Barrie

J.M. Barrie was born on May 9, 1860, in Kirriemuir, Scotland. He was the ninth child and third son of David and Margaret ( Ogilvy ) Barrie. His father was a handloom weaver.
Barrie attended Glasgow Academy, Forfar Academy and Dumfries Academy. In 1887he enrolled in Edinburgh University, where he graduated in four years with a master's degree. He worked as a journalist for the Nottingham Journal before moving to London in 1885 to freelance.
When Barrie was six years old his older brother David died. Barrie set himself to console his mother, and later attributed this as his start down the road to becoming an author.
In 1894 he married the actress Mary Ansell. The marriage was childless and ended in divorce in 1909. However, he was friends with Arthur and Sylvia Llewellyn Davies, and when they died, became the legal guardian to their five sons: Peter, John, Michael, Nicholas and Arthur.
In later life, Barrie was struck by writer's cramp, and being ambidextrous, switched hands. He mentions in several places that what he wrote with his left hand had an altogether eerier quality than the more rational right.
Barrie died on 19th June 1937. His grave is in Kirriemuir cemetery, and his birthplace at 4, Brechin Road is maintained as a museum by the National Trust for Scotland.

 

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Featured Books, with extracts by J.M. Barrie

Michael Foreman's Peter Pan and Wendy
J.M. Barrie
Michael Foreman’s bright and beautiful illustrations vibrantly bring all the magical fun and adventure of Peter Pan’s world to life.  His story and that of the Darling children has thrilled and delighted children for generations.
Featured in: 3+ readers
Format: Board book - Released: 19/10/2009
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Peter Pan (with an introduction by Tony Diterlizzi)
J.M. Barrie
The magical idea of never growing up lies at the heart of the story of Peter Pan. When Peter Pan flies in at the bed room window of the three Darling children one starry night he leads them off flying...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Audio Books | Children's Classics
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/08/2008
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Peter Pan
J.M. Barrie
This is the complete and unabridged original text from J M Barrie, complete with a stunning new cover and black and white chapter heads, the perfect companion to its sequel by Geraldine McCaughrean, Peter Pan in Scarlet. Together, they...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Audio Books | Ebooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 04/10/2007
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Peter Pan
J.M. Barrie
This is the complete and unabridged original text from J M Barrie, complete with a stunning new cover and black and white chapter heads, the perfect companion to its sequel by Geraldine McCaughrean, Peter Pan in Scarlet. Together, they...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Audio Books | Bookshelf Essentials | Ebooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/10/2007
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Peter Pan and Wendy (illus Shirley Hughes)
J.M. Barrie
It was with great delight that we heard that one of the country’s best known illustrators had decided to put pen to paper alongside a retold edition of Peter Pan, for a younger audience – abridged with the permission of...
Featured in: 7+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 06/09/2007
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Peter Pan and Wendy (Illustrated by Robert Ingpen)
J.M. Barrie
Wonderfully lavish this substantial hardback edition is a perfect gift at any time of the year.  The memorable J M Barrie story is beautifully complemented by lots of full bleed illustrations by the immensely talented Robert Ingpen.    Robert is also responsible for a...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Hardback - Released: 13/09/2004
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