J.K.Rowling

One would never have guessed that from her humble beginnings one of the world's most influential people would be born. Sharing her birthday with her fictional hero Harry, JK Rowling has risen to become one of the worlds greatest icons. Born in July 31, 1966 in Chipping Sodberry, Rowling grew up with her parents and sister Di in Yate and then Winterborne near Bristol in Southwest England. Rowling began writing early in her life, her first book, entitled Rabbit, was completed when she was six.

JK Rowling, Jo to her friends, graduated the top of her class where she admits her favorite classes were English and Foreign languages. During her high school years her mother became afflicted with Multiple Sclerorsis. After leaving high school she attended Exeter University where she studied French and graduated in 1986. Following her time at the University Rowling worked for Amnesty International .

On a train between Manchester and London, Harry Potter was born. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald , Jo stated that Harry came to her "in a flash". That flash took her five years to write before anyone read a word. Yet, after Scholastic published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, when it became an instant success.

In December of 1990, JK Rowling's mother died from complications of Multiple Sclerosis. In her biography on JKRowling.com she speaks of the grief her family members felt at the death of her mother. Rowling then moved to Portugal where she married a journalist. Following the birth of her daughter, born in 1993, Rowling divorced her husband and returned to Edinburgh where she worked as a secretary and a teacher.

On July 15, 2000 Exeter University gave her an Honorary Doctoorate of Letters degree after the success of the adventures of her boy-wizard. In her speech at Exeter Jo reflected on the advice of her literary agent, Christopher Little after she complete her first draft of The Philosopher's Stone. His words "Now remember Joannie, this is very well but it will not make you a fortune," are ironic today considering that Jo has made an estimated 15 million dollars from the adventures of a wizard named Harry.

Her many professional accomplish led way to her second marriage and a growing family. In December of 2001, in their home in Scotland, Rowling married Dr. Neil Smith. In March of 2003 their son was born and -in January of 2005 they added a daughter into their family! Currently Rowling has five of her planned seven books published.

In May of 2004 Rowling opened her web site, JKRolwoing.com, and extended her line of communication with her many fans. Among other things, ther web site contains gossip about the succesful series. Here Rowling is able to disspell then many rumors that exist in Harry Potter fandom including the now infamous rumor that the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series would be entitled The Pillar of Storge'.

Rowling also pays tribute to the charities that she holds dear, including the Multiple Sclerosis Association, in her links page, and the web sites that are abundent in fandom with her Fan Site Award.

But the most awaited moment in fandom is the opening of the famous locked door. This door opens on rare occasions and has revealed interesting tidbits of inormation to feed the curiosity of the thousands of fans who flock to her page daily for information.

The Sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due out on July 16, 2005. The release of this book will be heralded with parties for both adults and children as this long awaited installment apparates on bookstores shelves worldwide.

In May of 2004 Rowling opened her web site, JKRolwoing.com, and extended her line of communication with her many fans. Among other things, ther web site contains gossip about the succesful series. Here Rowling is able to disspell then many rumors that exist in Harry Potter fandom including the now infamous rumor that the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series would be entitled The Pillar of Storge'.

Rowling also pays tribute to the charities that she holds dear, including the Multiple Sclerosis Association, in her links page, and the web sites that are abundent in fandom with her Fan Site Award.

But the most awaited moment in fandom is the opening of the famous locked door. This door opens on rare occasions and has revealed interesting tidbits of inormation to feed the curiosity of the thousands of fans who flock to her page daily for information.

The Sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due out on July 16, 2005. The release of this book will be heralded with parties for both adults and children as this long awaited installment apparates on bookstores shelves worldwide.

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