J.K. Rowling, born Joanne Rowling on July 31, 1965, is a British novelist best known for creating the Harry Potter series. These books, published from 1997 to 2007, chronicle the life of a young wizard and his friends, becoming the best-selling book series in history with over 600 million copies sold worldwide. The series has been translated into 84 languages and adapted into a global media franchise, including films and video games. Rowling also writes crime fiction under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, with the Cormoran Strike series being her most recent work. The eighth book in the series, The Hallmarked Man, is scheduled for release in September 2025.
Rowling conceived the idea for Harry Potter in 1990 while on a train from Manchester to London. Before her success as an author, she worked as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International. In recent years, Rowling has been involved in controversy due to her statements on transgender issues, leading to criticism and debate. Rowling is also known for her philanthropy, as president of the charity Gingerbread and founder of the Volant Charitable Trust. In December 2025, Rowling's international children's foundation, Lumos, launched its annual "Home for the Holidays" appeal.