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The author of this story is J. M. Barrie, who was born in Scotland in 1860. The fictional village of Thrums in Sentimental Tommy is based on his own Scottish birthplace. Barrie drew heavily upon his childhood memories of the local weavers, their unique dialect, and their strict way of life to give the setting a vivid atmosphere. When Barrie was just six years old, his older brother David died in an accident, and Barrie noticed how his grieving mother found comfort in the thought that David would remain a boy forever. This family trauma shaped Barrie’s writing, inspiring him to create characters like Tommy, who prefer the safety of beautiful illusions to the harsh realities of the adult world. Published in 1896, Sentimental Tommy reflects Barrie’s unique ability to blend whimsical humour with psychological truth.