The real story of Sir James Matthew Barrie’s Peter Pan is both joyous and tragic, the tale of a beautiful boy. Thus, for over 80 years, the story of Peter Pan and his battle against arch-enemy Captain Hook has enchanted children and adults alike, and continues to benefit the seriously ill children who come to GOSH for life-saving treatment every day. It was from the time of this photograph that Michael’s recurring nightmares began. His elder brother David, who was his mother’s dearest son, died before his 14th birthday, leaving his mother devastated. He was the ninth of ten children born to his parents. He took up journalism, worked for a Nottingham newspaper, and contributed to various London journals before moving to London in 1885. Sir James Matthew Barrie was born on, in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, to Margaret Ogilvy and David Barrie. The son of a weaver, Barrie studied at the University of Edinburgh. This amendment gives the hospital the right to a royalty from Peter Pan in perpetuity. Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM was a Scottish author and dramatist, best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan. In recognition of JM Barrie’s unprecedented generosity, and the exceptional work of the Hospital itself, the House of Lords sprinkled more fairy dust over GOSH in 1988, by voting overwhelmingly for a special clause in the UK’s Copyright Designs & Patents Act. Peter Pan works on indisputable magic on readers of all ages, making it a true classic of imaginative literature.

Barrie requested that the amount raised for the hospital from Peter Pan never be revealed, and GOSH has always honoured his wishes. (James Matthew), 1860-1937: Title: Peter Pan Note: See 22984 for an human-read audio version. Through this gift, Peter Pan’s magic made an unprecedented leap from the realm of fiction into reality and the hospital began to receive royalties every time a production of the play was on, as well as from the sale of Peter Pan books and other products.

Story by james matthew barrie