-
Edition 13 (1997) Gold Prize
-
Edition 14 (1998) Gold Prize
-
Edition 15 (1999) Gold Prize
J. K. Rowling
ジェイ・ケイ・ローリング
J. K. Rowling
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
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Exeter | — | French (BA) | BA | 1983–1987 | United Kingdom |
| Moray House (School of Education) | — | Teacher training | PGCE | 1995–1996 | United Kingdom |
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | British Book Awards — Book of the Year | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | 大人向け賞(Book of the Year) | British Book Awards | Winner |
| 2000 | Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) | — | — | British monarchy (honour) | Appointed |
| 2017 | Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) | — | — | British monarchy (honour) | Appointed |
| 2001 | Hugo Award | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | — | World Science Fiction Convention | Winner |
| 2003 | Prince of Asturias Award for Concord | — | — | Prince of Asturias Foundation | Recipient |
| 2009 | Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur | — | — | French Republic (honour) | Recipient |
| 2011 | BAFTA — Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema | Harry Potter film series (shared with cast and crew) | — | British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) | Recipient (shared) |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Award — Best New Play | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | — | Society of London Theatre | Winner |
| 2021 | British Book Awards — Crime & Thriller Prize | Cormoran Strike series — 5th volume | Crime & Thriller | British Book Awards | Winner |
Awards & Nominations
-
Edition 9 (1998) Winner
-
Edition 10 (1999) Winner
-
Edition 17 (2006) Winner
-
Edition 29 (1999) Winner
-
Edition 14 (1999) Winner
-
Edition 19 (2004) Winner
-
Edition 1 (2005) Winner
-
Edition 1 (2005) Winner
-
Edition 10 (2008) Winner
-
Edition 19 (2017) Winner
-
Edition 38 (2008) Winner
-
Edition 4 (2012) Winner
-
Edition 34 (2013) Winner
Works
Major Works
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
1997 Fantasy, Children's literature 223 pagesOrphaned boy Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard and begins his education at Hogwarts School, making friends and learning about his past and destiny.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) / Chris Columbus (2001)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1998 Fantasy 251 pagesIn his second year at Hogwarts, Harry and friends investigate strange events and the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) / Chris Columbus (2002)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
1999 Fantasy 317 pagesIn his third year, Harry confronts the escaped Sirius Black and uncovers truths about his family's past.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) / Alfonso Cuarón (2004)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2000 Fantasy 636 pagesThe Triwizard Tournament leads to events that mark a turning point and foreshadow the return of a greater evil.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) / Mike Newell (2005)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2003 Fantasy 896 pagesAmid growing political tensions, Harry and his friends confront the complexities of the adult world.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) / David Yates (2007)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2005 Fantasy 607 pagesThe 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.
- [Film] Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) / David Yates (2009)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
2007 Fantasy 607 pagesThe final installment follows Harry and friends as they seek to defeat Voldemort; themes of self-sacrifice and redemption culminate in the series' conclusion.
- [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)
- Japanese translation: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The Casual Vacancy
2012 Contemporary fiction, black comedy 503 pagesAn adult novel set in a fictional English town, exploring political and social conflicts and the darker sides of interpersonal relations.
- [Television (miniseries)] The Casual Vacancy (BBC / HBO miniseries) (2015)
- Japanese translation: The Casual Vacancy
The Cuckoo's Calling (as Robert Galbraith)
2013 Crime fiction 464 pagesA detective novel featuring former soldier-turned-private investigator Cormoran Strike; initially published under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
- [Television series] Strike (TV series) (2017)
- Japanese translation: The Cuckoo's Calling
The Ickabog
2020 Children's literature 96 pagesA children's fairy tale about the monster Ickabog and the courage of children; released online during the COVID-19 lockdown and later in print.
- Translated into multiple languages, including Japanese
The Christmas Pig
2021 Children's literature 272 pagesA heartwarming adventure about a boy who loses his favorite toy and embarks on a magical Christmas quest to retrieve it.
- 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.