Llewelyn Davies, Peter |
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BORN 25 Feb 1897, London - DIED 5 Apr 1960, London: Sloan Square (Underground Station) CAUSE OF DEATH suicide GRAVE LOCATION London: St John-at-Hampstead, Churchyard Extension, Church Row, Hampstead (J 2) |
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Peter Llewelyn Davies was the son of Arthur Llewellyn Davies and his wife Sylvia Du Maurier. After both their parents had died by 1910 all five children were adopted by J.M. Barrie and Barrie's "Peter Pan" was probably based on Peter. During the First World War he saw atrocities in Flanders, where his brother George lost his life. He was awarded a Military Cross. In 1917 he courted the Hungarian painter Vera Willoughby who was married and 27 years his senior. This caused a rift with Barrie. After the war he founded the publishing house Peter Davies Ltd. in 1926 and he became a respected publisher. In 1931 he married Margaret Leslie Hore-Ruthven and they had three sons. He didn't like his name to be associated with Peter Pan. When Barrie died in 1937 he left most of his fortune to Cynthia Asquith. Peter had been disinherited at the last moment and this led him to believe that Barrie had exploited him. He started drinking far too much. In 1960 he temporarily lived at the Royal Court Hotel, Sloane Suqare. He had been drinking at the bar before he left the hotel on 5 April 1960, bought an Underground ticket and threw himself before an approaching train. This was shortly before Barrie's 100th birthday would be celebrated. His death was world news because of the Peter Pan association. Family • Mother: Du Maurier, Sylvia • Father: Llewelyn Davies, Arthur |
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 The grave of Arthur and Sylvia Llewelyn Davies at the Churchyard extension of St. John-at-Hampstead, London. Picture by Androom (30 May 2014) |
 The grave of Arthur and Sylvia Llewelyn Davies at the Churchyard extension of St. John-at-Hampstead, London. Picture by Androom (30 May 2014) |
