“JM Barrie, the Scottish playwright and author of Peter Pan, was born 155 years ago today. Justine Picardie investigates whether he was an evil genius or a misunderstood ingenue.” Was he involved in his brother’s death? Did he dabble in the occult and curse his biographers?

DH Lawrence said, “JM Barrie has a fatal touch for those he loves. They die.” Others said he was “a sympathetic and sensitive soul.” (via Terry Teachout)