SIR JAMES BARRIE DEAD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 132, 21 June 1937, Page 7

SIR JAMES BARRIE DEAD

-Press Assoeiation,}

The Creator of "Peter Pan" And "Thrums"

CBy Teiegrapli—

(Received 21, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. The death has occurred of Sir James Matthew Barrie, O.M., LL.D. (Efiinburgh and St. Andrews), D.Litt, Scottish novelist and play wright. The origiual of Barrie 's fanxous character "Peter Pan," was at the Jxedside when Barrie died peacefully after several hours of unconsciousness, It is recalled fhat .Barrie, 35 years . ago, was wajliing in Kensington GarOens vrber he saw Peter Davies playing with his three brothers. They became his friends and inspired him to create a boy who would not grow up. Barrie later adopted the brothers, of whom only Peter and Nicholas are still alive.

•Sir James, who was 77 years old, ixad been president of tbe Society of Authors sinco 1928 and Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh sinco 1930. hxr James Barrie was best knowu us the author of "Peter Pan," which, both as a play and a hook, is famous fclie world over. It met with a rapturous receptioii when first produced in 1904 and its popularxty has if anything growii with ihe years, Peter, Wend,\ afld Captaiu Houk becoming cliuracters kuown to every chikl. Six Janii'f wus liorn iti 1860 ul Kerriemuir, aiu his earlier books, skctches of liunibh lil'e in "Thrums," really rel'erred ti his honie vilJuge. Al'ier graduatinj. at Edinburgh University he for a briol period acted as leader-writer on thi "Nottingham Journai." He settled in 1 London in 1885 and became a valued ' contributor to a number of the most outstanding papers and periodicals. In 1887 be publisbed a eoliection of stories, "Better Dead." Then he published "Auld Lieht Idylls," wbicb started the s vogue of wbat came to be knowu as ) the Kailyard School of Scottisb fic1 tion. In 1891 appeared his first novel, "r.rJie Little Minister." He soon. however, turned his attention to play-writ- ) ing, gaining in 1904 his greatest sncx cess with "Peter Pan." As many as x three or four of his plays were staged in London at oue time; most of them 3 achieved world-wide popularity. In . July, 1894, Barrie married Mary Anp selt, an actress, but thc uniou was dis- . solved on the fiushand's iiiitiative in - 1 1910. He was made a bnvunet in 1913. 1 He was also awarded the Order of 1 Mexit.