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J. K. Rowling

ジェイ・ケイ・ローリング

J. K. Rowling

Aliases: Joanne Rowling / Jo Rowling / Joanne Murray
Pen Names: Robert GalbraithPen name used for adult crime fiction (Cormoran Strike series)

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1965-07-31 (Yate, Gloucestershire, England)
Nationality
British
Languages
English
Religion
Christianity
Residence History
Yate (birthplace) → Tutshill / Winterbourne (childhood) → Edinburgh (residence / writing) → Perthshire (estate) → Kensington, London (residence)

Career

Occupations
Author, Philanthropist, Screenwriter
Active Years
1997-
Affiliations
Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (HonFRSE), Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (FRCPE)
Memberships
Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (HonFRSE)
Influenced By
Jessica Mitford, Jane Austen, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Diana Wynne Jones
Influenced
Subsequent children's and YA fantasy authors
Nominations
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — Whitbread Book of the Year (nominated)

Education

University of Exeter
French (BA)
Degree: BA
Period: 1983–1987
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: United Kingdom
Spent one year studying in Paris during degree
Moray House (School of Education)
Teacher training
Degree: PGCE
Period: 1995–1996
Year of Graduation: 1996
Country: United Kingdom
Earned teaching certificate

Awards

British Book Awards — Book of the Year
2006
Work: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Category: 大人向け賞(Book of the Year)
Organization: British Book Awards
Result: Winner
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
2000
Organization: British monarchy (honour)
Result: Appointed
Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)
2017
Organization: British monarchy (honour)
Result: Appointed
Hugo Award
2001
Work: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Organization: World Science Fiction Convention
Result: Winner
Prince of Asturias Award for Concord
2003
Organization: Prince of Asturias Foundation
Result: Recipient
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
2009
Organization: French Republic (honour)
Result: Recipient
BAFTA — Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema
2011
Work: Harry Potter film series (shared with cast and crew)
Organization: British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
Result: Recipient (shared)
Laurence Olivier Award — Best New Play
2017
Work: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Organization: Society of London Theatre
Result: Winner
British Book Awards — Crime & Thriller Prize
2021
Work: Cormoran Strike series — 5th volume
Category: Crime & Thriller
Organization: British Book Awards
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

1997 Fantasy, Children's literature 223 pages

Orphaned boy Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard and begins his education at Hogwarts School, making friends and learning about his past and destiny.

coming-of-agefriendshipgood vs evil
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) / Chris Columbus (2001)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

1998 Fantasy 251 pages

In his second year at Hogwarts, Harry and friends investigate strange events and the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.

fear and braverysecretsidentity
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) / Chris Columbus (2002)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

1999 Fantasy 317 pages

In his third year, Harry confronts the escaped Sirius Black and uncovers truths about his family's past.

past and redemptionfear and healing
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) / Alfonso Cuarón (2004)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2000 Fantasy 636 pages

The Triwizard Tournament leads to events that mark a turning point and foreshadow the return of a greater evil.

crisis of growing uppolitics and powersacrifice
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) / Mike Newell (2005)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2003 Fantasy 896 pages

Amid growing political tensions, Harry and his friends confront the complexities of the adult world.

resistance to authoritygroup vs individual conflicts
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) / David Yates (2007)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2005 Fantasy 607 pages

The sixth volume explores fragments of the past and memories that reveal Voldemort's origins; themes of sacrifice and revelation set the stage for the final conflict.

death and sacrificetruths of the pastfriendship and betrayal
Adaptations
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) / David Yates (2009)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007 Fantasy 607 pages

The final installment follows Harry and friends as they seek to defeat Voldemort; themes of self-sacrifice and redemption culminate in the series' conclusion.

sacrificeredemptionmoral choices
Adaptations
  • [Film (two parts)] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 & 2 (films) / David Yates (2010)
  • [Film] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 (film) / David Yates (2011)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Casual Vacancy

2012 Contemporary fiction, black comedy 503 pages

An adult novel set in a fictional English town, exploring political and social conflicts and the darker sides of interpersonal relations.

community conflictclass and inequality
Adaptations
  • [Television (miniseries)] The Casual Vacancy (BBC / HBO miniseries) (2015)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: The Casual Vacancy

The Cuckoo's Calling (as Robert Galbraith)

2013 Crime fiction 464 pages

A detective novel featuring former soldier-turned-private investigator Cormoran Strike; initially published under the pen name Robert Galbraith.

mysterysocial undercurrents
Adaptations
  • [Television series] Strike (TV series) (2017)
Translations
  • Japanese translation: The Cuckoo's Calling

The Ickabog

2020 Children's literature 96 pages

A children's fairy tale about the monster Ickabog and the courage of children; released online during the COVID-19 lockdown and later in print.

couragejustice
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages, including Japanese

The Christmas Pig

2021 Children's literature 272 pages

A heartwarming adventure about a boy who loses his favorite toy and embarks on a magical Christmas quest to retrieve it.

loss and recoveryfamily love
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages, including Japanese

Bibliography

  • 1997: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  • 1998: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • 1999: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • 2000: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • 2003: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • 2005: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • 2007: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  • 2012: The Casual Vacancy (adult fiction)
  • 2013: The Cuckoo's Calling (as Robert Galbraith)
  • 2020: The Ickabog (children's book)
  • 2021: The Christmas Pig (children's book)

Adaptations

  • Harry Potter film series (2001–2011)
  • Stage play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' (premiered 2016)
  • TV series 'Strike' (adaptation of the Cormoran Strike novels)

Translations of Works

  • The Harry Potter series has been translated into 84 languages (as of 2023)
  • Many translated editions exist (Japanese editions published early on)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Accessible, clear proseChildren's-fantasy sensibility with allusions to classical and Arthurian motifsPlot-driven storytelling
Recurring Motifs
death and sacrificefriendship and loyaltycoming-of-age (Bildungsroman)school life / house system

Health

  • Depression (severe)
    1993–1994(母の死後、初期執筆期間)
    Affected her writing (inspiration for Dementors) and required therapy; she recovered after treatment.
  • Obsessive–compulsive tendencies (reported in teens)
    ティーンエイジャー時代(断片的)
    Reported to have influenced thoughts and behaviour during adolescence; limited impact reported in adulthood.

Legacy

The Harry Potter series produced enormous commercial success and cultural impact, revitalizing children's and YA fantasy. It spawned a global media franchise (films, stage, merchandising) and significant philanthropic activity. Recent public comments on transgender issues have generated both support and condemnation, affecting public perception.

Academic Societies

  • Royal Society of Literature (Fellow)

In Popular Culture

  • Harry Potter film series (major element of popular culture)
  • Stage play 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child', theme parks, and vibrant fan culture (fan fiction, fandom communities)

Quotes

  • It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.
    Source: Harvard University commencement address (2008)
  • I don't believe in magic in the real-world sense, but I do believe in imagination and the power of story.
    Source: Interviews / public statements (summary) (2008)

Trivia

  • Full name Joanne Kathleen Rowling.
  • Published adult crime fiction under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
  • Founded the Volant Charitable Trust (2000) and co-founded Lumos (2005); active philanthropist.
  • Wrote early drafts of Harry Potter while on state benefits.