James Matthew Barrie
James Matthew (J.M.) Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland in 1860. Peter Pan was inspired by the author’s friendship with the Llewelyn-Davies family. Barrie would tell George and Jack Llewyllen-Davies—the original lost boys—stories about Neverland. He originally wrote the story as a play and its first performance in 1904 was a hit. Barrie then adapted the play into the 1911 novel Peter Pan and Wendy. J.M. Barrie died on June 19, 1937.