Joanne Rowling – the creator of the boy wizard, Harry Potter

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

-by J.K. Rowling

Joanne Rowling, known globally by her pen name J.K. Rowling, is a British author celebrated for
creating the Harry Potter series, one of the most beloved and successful book franchises in history.

Birth and Early Life: Joanne Rowling was born on 31st July 1965 at Yate General
Hospital near Bristol, and grew up in Gloucestershire in England and in Chepstow,
Gwent, in south-east Wales.

Her father, Peter, was an aircraft engineer at the Rolls Royce factory in Bristol and her mother,
Anne, was a science technician in the Chemistry department at Wyedean Comprehensive, where
Jo herself went to school. Her parents first met on a train departing from King’s Cross Station bound for
Arbroath in1964.They married on 14 March 1965.

As a young child, she liked to play imaginary games in her room or in her backyard. Even as a
youngster, she loved to pretend. The young Jo grew up surrounded by books. “I lived for
books,’’ she has said. “I was your basic common-or-garden bookworm, complete with
freckles and National Health spectacles.”

Rowling got a younger sister, Di, less than two years after her own birth. She made up lots of
tall tales about imaginary creatures and places and told them to her sister. Many of these
stories focused on rabbits because, in Rowling's own words, she and her sister "very badly
wanted a rabbit." One of the stories Rowling told Di was a story in which Di fell into a rabbit
hole and was fed strawberries by the rabbit family! Di was so fascinated by her sister's stories
that one day, a bit after she turned six, Rowling took out a pencil and paper and wrote down
her first story. It was about a rabbit named Rabbit who got the measles and was visited by all
of his friends, including a bumblebee called Miss Bee. At school, Rowling's teachers would
marvel at her creativity and maturity of her papers.
Rowling was quite gregarious and had many friends in the neighbourhood. However, she
often preferred to go off and read. Some of her favourite books included The Little White
Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, Manx mouse by Paul Gallico, and the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.
She also loved to read books by E. Nesbit and Noel Streatfield. In an interview with the
London Telegraph she says that, "Even now, if I was in a room with one of the Narnia books, I
would pick it up and re-read it like a shot."

Later, her parents decided to move to Yate, a small town just outside of Bristol when Rowling
was four. A couple months later, Rowling's parents decided that the scenery was nicer on the
other side of Bristol and moved to another town called Winterbourne. Rowling and Di made
lots of new friends in Winterbourne and played all sorts of games, especially those involving
roughhousing. Tow of Rowling and Di's closest friends in Winterbourne were a brother and
sister name Ian and Vikki Potter. When they played together, they told stories, but dressed up
the most. Most of the time, Rowling would be the one to suggest playing witches and wizards.
Rowling especially liked the Potters because of their surname. She attended St Michael’s Primary
School, a school founded by abolitionist William Wilberforce and education reformer Hannah More. Her
headmaster at St Michael’s, Alfred Dunn, has been suggested as the inspiration of Jessica Mitford's
autobiography, Hons and Rebels Mitford became Rowling’s heroine, and Rowling read all of her books.
 Rowling's parents decided to move yet again. This time, they moved to a small village
called Tutshill, near the Forest of Dean. Rowling and Di made friends quickly, again. She was
well beyond her reading level and read Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and loved Jane
Austen. However, the thing that Rowling did not like at all about Tutshill was her school:
Tutshill Primary. The place was very old-fashioned (the desks still had inkwells!) and her
teacher, Mrs. Morgan frightened her. She got a perfect zero out of ten on an arithmetic test the
very first morning. Rowling's desk was in the far right, which after some time, she came to
realize as the "stupid row." She was embarrassed and teased because of this, but soon
managed to build a circle of loyal friends.
After graduating from Tutshill Primary, Rowling went on to Wyedean Comprehensive
School for secondary school. At Wyedean, she told more of her friends her stories. She was also
Head Girl and graduated with high honors. In 1982, Rowling took the entrance exams for Oxford University but was not accepted
and read for a BA in French and Classics at the University of Exeter. At first, Rowling was excited at the prospect of Exeter
being a liberal school that supported new ideas, but once at Exeter, found out that it was a
very conservative place. However, she enjoyed Exeter, and even had a boyfriend, even though
she did not get to be as radical as she wanted to.

The Struggling Times:

Personal Loss and Relocation

Rowling has said that her teen age years were unhappy. Her home life was complicated by her mother’s illness
and a strained relationship with her father who she is still not on speaking terms with. Rowling later said that she based the
character of Hermione Granger on herself when she was eleven.
In 1990, December, Rowling’s mother Anne died after ten years suffering from Multiple sclerosis .Rowling was writing
Harry Potter at the time and had never told her mother about it. Her death heavily affected Rowling’s writing and she
introduced much more detail about Harry’s loss in the first book, because she knew how it felt.

Marriage and Divorce

While in Portugal she met Portuguese television journalist Jorge Arantes in a bar, and found they shared an interest in
Jane Austen. They married on 16 October 1992 and their child, Jessica Isabel Rowling Arantes (named after Jessica
Mitford),was born on 27 July 1993 in Portugal. Rowling had previously suffered a miscarriage. The couple separated on 17
November 1993.Biographers have suggested that Rowling suffered domestic abuse during her marriage, although the full
extent is unknown. In December 1993, Rowling and her then-infant daughter moved to be near Rowling’s sister in
Edinburgh, Scotland, with three chapters of what would become Harry Potter in her suitcase, where she faced the
daunting task of rebuilding her life as a single mother.

Financial Hardships

During this period, Rowling experienced significant financial struggles. She was unemployed
and relied on welfare benefits to support herself and her daughter. The pressure of raising a
child alone, coupled with her financial instability, took a toll on her mental health. Despite
these challenges, she remained determined to complete her book.

Writing in Cafes

With limited resources, Rowling found solace and inspiration in writing. She often wrote in
cafes, with her sleeping daughter by her side. The Elephant House and Nicolson's Café in
Edinburgh became her writing sanctuaries. Despite the noise and distractions, Rowling
persevered, crafting the world of Harry Potter.
Rejection and Persistence

Rowling's manuscript for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was turned down by
twelve different publishing houses before Bloomsbury, a small London-based publisher, took
a chance on her work. The decision was influenced by Alice Newton, the eight-year-old
daughter of Bloomsbury's chairman, who loved the first chapter of the book.

The Creation of Harry Potter:

The Idea Takes Shape
In 1990, while she was on a four-hour delayed train trip from Manchester to London, the idea for a story of a young boy attending a school of wizardry
As the train was delayed, she began to envision a young boy who discovers he
“came fully formed” into her mind.
is a wizard and attends a magical school. The image of a scrawny, bespectacled boy named Harry
Potter started to take shape in her mind.

Initial Development

Over the next five years, Rowling meticulously planned the plot for a seven-book series. She
filled notebooks with ideas about the characters, magical spells, and the intricate world of
wizards. During this period, she also worked on writing the first book, "Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone," often in cafes while caring for her young daughter, Jessica.

Publication of the Books

First Book: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"

• Publication Date: June 26, 1997

• Initial Print Run: 500 copies, 300 of which were distributed to libraries

Reception: Five months later,the book won its first award, a Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. In February ,the novel won the
British Book Award for Children’s Book of the Year, and later, the Children’s Book Award. In early 1998, an auction was held in the
United States for the rights to publish the novel, and was won by Scholastic Inc., for US$105,000. Rowling said that she “nearly died” when
she heard the news.

Second Book: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

• Publication Date: July 2, 1998

Reception: Continued the success of the first book, with growing anticipation for each
subsequent release. Again Rowling won the Smarties Prize.

Third Book: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"

• Publication Date: July 8, 1999

• Reception: The book was critically acclaimed, with praise for its more mature themes
and complex plot. It won the Whitbread Children's Book Award and the Bram Stoker
Award for Best Work for Young Readers.

Fourth Book: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"

 • Publication Date: July 8, 2000
• Reception: The book was a huge commercial success, selling millions of copies on
the first day. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2001.

Fifth Book: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

• Publication Date: June 21, 2003

• Reception: This book continued to break sales records and was praised for its depth
and darker tone. It addressed more complex emotional and political themes.

Sixth Book: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

• Publication Date: July 16, 2005

• Reception: The book was eagerly anticipated and sold nine million copies in the first
24 hours. It won the Book of the Year award at the British Book Awards.

Seventh Book: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"

• Publication Date: July 21, 2007

• Reception: The final book in the series concluded the saga, selling 11 million copies
in the first day. It was critically acclaimed for its satisfying resolution and won the
2008 Colorado Blue Spruce Book Award.

The Creation of the Harry Potter Films:

Acquisition of Film Rights

• Initial Interest: In 1997, shortly after the publication of "Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone," several film studios expressed interest in acquiring the film
rights.
• Warner Bros.: In 1999, Warner Bros. secured the film rights for the first four Harry
Potter books for an estimated $1.65 million. J.K. Rowling retained a significant
amount of creative control over the films, ensuring the adaptations stayed true to her
vision.

Production Begins

• Director and Screenwriter: Chris Columbus, known for his work on "Home Alone"
and "Mrs. Doubtfire," was chosen to direct the first film. Steven Kloves was selected
as the screenwriter, with Rowling providing input to maintain the authenticity of the
story.
• Casting: Casting was a crucial element in bringing the characters to life. After an
extensive search, Daniel Radcliffe was cast as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as
Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. The casting process was
thorough, ensuring that the actors embodied the characters as imagined by Rowling.

First Film: "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"

 • Filming: Principal photography began in September 2000 at Leavesden Film Studios
and various locations around the UK.
• Release: The film premiered on November 16, 2001. It was a critical and commercial
success, praised for its faithful adaptation of the book and its visual effects.
• Impact: The success of the first film set the stage for the entire series, generating a
massive global fanbase and significant box office returns.

Subsequent Films

• Consistency and Change: While Chris Columbus directed the first two films,
different directors were brought in for the subsequent installments to bring fresh
perspectives and styles:
o "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002): Directed by Chris
Columbus.
o "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004): Directed by Alfonso
Cuarón, who introduced a darker, more mature tone.
o "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2005): Directed by Mike Newell,
focusing on the Triwizard Tournament.
o "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007): Directed by David
Yates, who continued to direct the remaining films, providing consistency
through the series' climax.
o "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009): Directed by David
Yates.
o "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1" (2010) and Part 2"
(2011): Both directed by David Yates, splitting the final book into two films to
cover the extensive material.

Production Challenges and Innovations

• Visual Effects: The series was renowned for its groundbreaking visual effects, which
brought magical creatures, spells, and environments to life. Companies like Industrial
Light & Magic and Double Negative played crucial roles.
• Set Design: The intricate set designs, including the iconic Hogwarts School, Diagon
Alley, and the Ministry of Magic, were meticulously crafted. Stuart Craig, the
production designer, received acclaim for his work.
• Costumes and Props: The costumes and props were carefully designed to reflect the
detailed descriptions in the books. The creation of items like wands, Quidditch gear,
and magical creatures required collaboration with artisans and designers.

Success:
In 2004,Forbes named Rowling as the first person to become a U.S.-dollar billionaire by writing books, the second-richest female entertainer
and the 1,062nd richest person in the world. Rowling disputed the calculations and said she had plenty of money, but was not a billionaire.
The 2008 Sunday Times Rich List named Rowling the 144th richest person in Britain. In 2012 ,Forbes removed Rowling from their richlist ,
claiming that her US$160 million in charitable donations and the high tax rate in the UK meant she was no longer a billionaire. In February
2013 she was assessed as the 13th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom by Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. In 2001, Rowling
purchased a 19th-century estate house, Killiechassie house on the banks of the River Tay, near Aberfeldy, in Perth and Kinross.
Rowling also owns a £4.5 million Georgian house in Kensington, West London, on a street with 24-hour security.
Current Life:
Residence and Personal Life

• Home: Rowling lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with her husband, Neil Murray, whom
she married in 2001. They have two children together, David and Mackenzie, in
addition to Rowling’s daughter, Jessica, from her previous marriage.
• Lifestyle: Despite her wealth and fame, Rowling maintains a relatively private and
low-key lifestyle. She often expresses gratitude for her success and remains grounded,
focusing on her writing and charitable work.

Literary Work

• Cormoran Strike Series: Rowling continues to write under her pseudonym Robert
Galbraith. The Cormoran Strike series has seen several successful additions, with
each book receiving critical acclaim and maintaining a strong readership.
• Fantastic Beasts: Rowling is actively involved in the "Fantastic Beasts" film series.
The latest installment continues to explore the wizarding world, expanding on the lore
and characters introduced in the Harry Potter series.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

• Lumos: Rowling remains heavily involved in Lumos, the charity she founded to end
the institutionalization of children and promote community-based care. Lumos works
internationally, focusing on transforming child care systems and improving the lives
of vulnerable children.
• Volant Charitable Trust: Through her charitable trust, Rowling supports various
causes, including multiple sclerosis research, a disease her mother suffered from, and
projects aimed at alleviating poverty and social inequality.
• Public Advocacy: Rowling continues to be a vocal advocate on social media and
other platforms, addressing issues such as freedom of speech, human rights, and
social justice. Her opinions often spark public discourse and debate, reflecting her
influence beyond the literary world.

Public Engagements and Media

• Public Appearances: Rowling occasionally makes public appearances at literary

events, charity functions, and premieres related to her works. She remains an
influential figure in the literary community, often sharing insights and advice for
aspiring writers.
• Social Media: Rowling is active on social media, particularly Twitter, where she
engages with fans, shares updates on her work, and comments on social and political
issues. Her tweets often garner significant attention and discussion.

Future Projects

• Writing: Rowling has hinted at various new writing projects, both within the
wizarding world and beyond. Fans eagerly anticipate any new releases, whether they
be novels, screenplays, or other forms of storytelling.
 • Expanding the Wizarding World: With the ongoing success of the Fantastic Beasts
series and other related projects, Rowling continues to expand the wizarding world.
This includes potential new films, books, and interactive experiences for fans.

Legacy and Influence

• Cultural Impact: Rowling’s impact on literature and popular culture remains

profound. The Harry Potter series continues to be a cornerstone of modern fantasy
literature, influencing countless readers and creators.
• Inspiration: Her story of overcoming adversity to achieve global success continues to
inspire individuals around the world. Rowling’s dedication to her craft and her
philanthropic efforts reflect her commitment to making a positive impact on society.