Quick facts
Born: 31st July 1951, Gloucestershire, England
Educated: French and Classics, University of Exeter
Occupation: World-famous author, screenwriter, film and TV producer and philanthropist
Best known for: The Harry Potter series, first published 20 years ago this summer
J.K. Rowling facts
J.K Rowling gave Harry Potter the same birthday as herself: the 31st July
Rowling embodies the ‘rags to riches’ fairytale, having gone from unemployed to multi-millionaire status within five short years
Rowling also writes under the pseudonym ‘Robert Galbraith’ and has published a number of novels including The Casual Vacancy and Cuckoo Calling
Rowling sent the manuscript for the first Harry Potter book to twelve publishers who all rejected it before it was picked up by Bloomsbury - we bet the others are all kicking themselves now!
Rowling’s parents met at Kings Cross station, a spot which is now famous for platform 9 ¾ where students get the train to Hogwarts
Harry Potter facts
The Harry Potter books have sold over 400 million copies around the world making them the best selling book series in history
Most people don’t realise they are mispronouncing the name Voldemort - the ‘t’ at the end is silent
The Oxford English Dictionary officially made ‘muggle’ a word in 2003, meaning a person who has little or no understanding of an activity or skills
Few people know that J.K Rowling strongly considered killing off Ron Weasley halfway through the book series, but couldn’t bring herself to. Phew!
J.K Rowling has been open about her struggle with depression in her twenties, and says that the Dementors are a representation of depression
Books by this author
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J. K. Rowling