Joanne Rowling, known by her pen name J.K. Rowling, was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. Her parents, Peter James Rowling and Anne Rowling, were both Londoners. Joanne has a younger sister named Dianne. The family moved to Winterbourne, a nearby village, when she was four. Rowling attended St Michael's Primary School and later moved to Wyedean School and College. Rowling's childhood was marked by a enthusiasm for narrating. She often wrote fantasy stories and read them to her sister. She went on to study French and the Classics at the University of Exeter, graduating in 1986.
The thought for Harry Potter broadly came to Rowling amid a deferred prepare travel from Manchester to London in 1990. Over the next few years, she developed the plot and characters, all while facing significant personal challenges, including the death of her mother in 1990. In 1991, Rowling moved to Portugal to teach English as a foreign language. There, she met and married Jorge Arantes, a Portuguese journalist. They had a daughter, Jessica, in 1993, but the marriage ended shortly after. Rowling returned to the UK, settling in Edinburgh with her daughter.
Living on state benefits, Rowling completed the manuscript for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." After being rejected by numerous publishers, Bloomsbury Publishing accepted the manuscript in 1996. The book was published in 1997, and it became an instant success. Scholastic acquired the U.S. rights, renaming it "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Rowling continued to write the series, releasing six more books between 1998 and 2007. The series became a global phenomenon, selling over 500 million copies worldwide and being translated into over 80 languages. The books were adapted into a successful film series by Warner Bros.
The Harry Potter series has won multiple awards, including the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year and the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. Rowling's success made her one of the world's wealthiest women. She has used her wealth to support numerous charitable causes, including her own charity, Lumos, which focuses on transforming the lives of disadvantaged children.
In expansion to the Harry Potter arrangement, Rowling has composed a few other books. These include:
"The Casual Vacancy" (2012): A novel for adults, exploring themes of social and political issues in a small English town.
Cormoran Strike series (written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith): A crime fiction series featuring private detective Cormoran Strike. The first book, "The Cuckoo's Calling," was published in 2013, followed by several sequels.
Rowling married Neil Murray, a Scottish doctor, in 2001. They have two children together, David and Mackenzie. The family lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Rowling is known for her philanthropic efforts. She has donated millions to various causes, including multiple sclerosis research (her mother died of the disease) and anti-poverty campaigns. She established the Volant Charitable Trust in 2000 and Lumos in 2005. Rowling has faced criticism and controversy over her views on gender and transgender issues, which she has expressed on social media and in essays. This has led to significant public debate and has affected her relationship with some fans and collaborators.
J.K. Rowling's impact on literature and popular culture is immense. The Harry Potter series has inspired a generation of readers and has had a lasting influence on children's literature. The books and films have left an indelible mark on global culture, with a dedicated fan base and numerous adaptations, including stage plays and theme parks.
Rowling's story of perseverance and success continues to inspire many, demonstrating the power of creativity and resilience in overcoming personal and professional obstacles.
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