Barrie's early works depicted Scottish life, including "Auld Licht Idylls" (1888), "A Window in Thrums" (1889), and "The Little Minister" (1891). He gained theatrical success with "Quality Street" (1901) and "The Admirable Crichton" (1902), a witty comedy about class and survival.
His most famous creation, Peter Pan, first appeared in the novel "The Little White Bird" (1902). The character was later developed into the celebrated play "Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up" (1904) and the novel "Peter and Wendy" (1911). The story of Peter, Wendy, and Neverland became a timeless classic of children's literature.
Other notable works include "What Every Woman Knows" (1908), "Dear Brutus" (1917), and "Mary Rose" (1920). Barrie also wrote "Margaret Ogilvy" (1896), an affectionate memoir of his mother.
In 1913, Barrie was made a baronet, and in 1922 he received the Order of Merit. He generously bequeathed the copyright of Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.