Peter Pan By J. M. Barrie J. M. Barrie (1860-1937), Scottish dramatist and novelist, whose works, both theatrical and nontheatrical, stress his personal ironic view of life as a romantic adventure. James Matthew Barrie was born in Kirriemuir and educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1882. In 1885 he settled in London..