J. M. Barrie (1860-1937) was fascinated by stories of his mother's life. He was determined to write, and worked on the Nottingham Journal after graduating from Edinburgh University. In 1885 he successfully sold the Auld Licht Idylls, which were based on his mother's tales. By the time Peter Pan opened on the London stage in 1904, Barrie had written more than thirty novels and plays, such as Quality Street and The Admirable Crichton. He was created a baronet in 1913 and awarded the Order of Merit in 1922. Mabel Lucie Attwell (1879-1964) was a much loved British illustrator whose artwork holds a unique appeal to both children and adults. A huge commercial success during her lifetime, her illustrations are familiar from stories such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Wendy and The Water-Babies.