#49: The Tragic Inspiration Behind Peter Pan
Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, has enchanted children for over a century. But the character’s origins are tinged with sadness. J. M. Barrie is believed to have modeled Peter after his older brother, David, who died the day before his 14th birthday. In their mother’s grief, she found solace in believing that David would remain a boy forever — a heartbreaking idea that eventually shaped one of literature’s most iconic characters.
Before Peter Pan became a global phenomenon, Barrie donated all rights to Great Ormond Street Hospital, ensuring that the character’s success would benefit sick children for generations. It’s one of the most generous literary gifts ever made.
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