J.K. Rowling

Bio:
J.K. Rowling (born Joanne Rowling on July 13, 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England) is a British novelist. As a child, J.K. wrote fantasy stories that she frequently read to her younger sister. When she was 17, she enrolled in the Universty of Exeter, graduating with a BA in French and Classics Literature. She graduated in 1986, moving to London to work as a researcher and a bilingual secretary for Amnesty International. She and her then boyfriend moved to Manchester. During a four-hour-delayed train trip from Manchester to London, J.K. first thought of the story of a young boy attending a school of wizardry. She used that idea to write what would become the first Harry Potter book. In 1995, she finished the very first Harry Potter manuscript. After twelve rejections, Bloomsbury press decided to publish Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1996. Five months after its publication, the book won its first award and from there, J.K. rose to unprecedented levels of success. The subsequent Harry Potter books have made them the best-selling book series in history. They are also the basis of the highest-grossing film series in history as well. In addition to the Harry Potter series, J.K. has written three books for adults — The Casual Vacancy and, under the pen name, Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm.

Best Known For:
J.K. Rowling is best known for writing and creating the Harry Potter series.

Personal Life:
While teaching in Portugal, she began dating Portuguese television journalist Jorge Arantes. They were married in 1992. The next year, they welcomed Jessica Mitford. They separated in 1993 and divorced in 1994. J.K. married Neil Michael Murray in 2001. They welcomed a son, David Gordon, in 2003. J.K. Rowling is heavily involved with humanitarian efforts. In 2000, she established the Volant Charitable Trust to combat poverty and social inequality. She’s also the president of the charity Gingerbread, which aims to assist single-parent households. She has also been involved in efforts to combat Multiple sclerosis, since her mother struggled with disease up until her death.