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Barrie's Gift: Peter Pan Still Supports Sick Kids
11 Oct
Summary
- J. M. Barrie donated rights to Peter Pan to a London hospital in 1929.
- UK law protects the hospital's right to receive Peter Pan royalties.
- The story's ongoing use funds care for seriously ill children.
Scottish author J. M. Barrie made an extraordinary gift in 1929, donating the rights to his beloved creation, Peter Pan, to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London. This act of generosity established a lasting financial connection between the fictional boy who never grew up and the institution dedicated to caring for seriously ill children.
Barrie's donation allows GOSH to receive income from various uses of the Peter Pan story, including theatrical productions and adaptations. A special provision within UK law, enacted in 1988, ensures that the hospital continues to benefit from these royalties, even as copyright protections evolve.
This unique arrangement demonstrates how a cultural legacy can provide sustained charitable support. The income generated from Peter Pan's enduring popularity, particularly within the UK, contributes significantly to the hospital's wider efforts in providing specialist care and support for children and their families facing complex medical journeys.
