Joanne Rowling: A Closer Look

Early Life and Career

Joanne Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. She showed an early interest in writing and began writing stories from a young age. After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in French and Classics, she worked as a researcher and then as a teacher.

The Harry Potter Series

In 1990, Rowling began writing the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The book was published in 1997 and became an instant bestseller. Rowling went on to write six more Harry Potter novels, which together have sold over 500 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 80 languages.

Later Career

After the success of the Harry Potter series, Rowling continued to write. She has written several adult novels, including The Casual Vacancy and Career of Evil, as well as the screenplay for the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Rowling is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities.