Joanne Rowling, known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a renowned British author and philanthropist, born on 31 July 1965. She is best known for creating the iconic Harry Potter series, a seven-volume fantasy novel collection published between 1997 and 2007. The series has sold over 600 million copies, been translated into 84 languages, and has sparked a massive global media franchise including films and video games.

In addition to Harry Potter, Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike crime fiction series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Rowling's journey as a writer began in Yate, Gloucestershire, where she worked as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International in 1990, the year she first conceptualized the Harry Potter series.

The seven-year period that followed was marked by personal challenges, including the loss of her mother, the birth of her first child, her divorce, and financial difficulties, until the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997. This was followed by six sequels, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007. By 2008, Forbes recognized her as the world's highest-paid author.

The Harry Potter novels follow the journey of a young wizard, Harry Potter, as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and battles the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Central themes of the series include death and the battle between good and evil, drawing influences from genres such as Bildungsroman, school stories, fairy tales, and Christian allegory.

Rowling's work has revived the fantasy genre within the children's book market, inspired numerous imitators, and fostered an active fanbase. Despite overall acclaim, critical reception has been mixed, particularly regarding her portrayal of gender and social division. The series also sparked religious debates.

Acknowledged for her literary contributions, Rowling has been awarded several honors, including being named to the Order of the British Empire and being appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour. Her success with Harry Potter has afforded her the opportunity to engage in philanthropic efforts and political activism. She established the Volant Charitable Trust in 2000 and co-founded Lumos in 2005, focusing on medical causes and supporting women and children at risk.

In recent years, Rowling's public image has been impacted by her outspoken views on gender and transgender issues, which have been deemed controversial and sparked public debate on freedom of speech. However, she continues to deny claims of transphobia.