Rowling, J. K. 1965- (Newt Scamander, Kennilworthy Whisp)

PERSONAL

Surname is pronounced "rolling"; full name, Joanne Rowling (some sources erroneously cite name as Joanne Kathleen Rowling); born July 31, 1965, in Chipping Sodbury (some sources cite Yate), South Gloucestershire, England; daughter of Peter (cited variously as an automotive engineer or a factory manager) and Anne (a laboratory technician) Rowling; married Jorge Arantes (a journalist), October 16, 1992 (divorced); married Neil Murray (an anesthesiologist), December 26, 2001; children: (first marriage) Jessica Rowling; (second marriage) David Gordon Rowling, Mackenzie Jean Rowling. Education: University of Exeter, B.A., 1987. Avocational Interests: Reading, the work of Monty Python, music.

Addresses:

Agent—Christopher Little, Christopher Little Literary Agency, 10 Eel Brook Studios, London SW6 4PS, England.

Career:

Novelist. Worked as an English teacher in Portugal and a French teacher in Edinburgh, Scotland; worked as a research assistant for Amnesty International in London and a secretary for Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, England. Founder of a charitable trust. Ambassador for One Parent Families and affiliated with other charities, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Scotland and Maggie's Centres for Cancer Care, and affiliated with various causes and charity auctions. Rowling's Harry Potter creations have been featured on several kinds of merchandise.

Member:

Royal Society of Literature (fellow).

Awards, Honors:

Grant from the Scottish Arts Council, 1996; British Book Award, children's book of the year, and Nestle Smarties Gold Award, both 1997, best book selection, Publishers Weekly, editor's choice selection, Booklist, notable book citation, American Library Association, best book of the year selection, New York Public Library, book of the year award, Parenting, Premio Cento per la Letteratura Infantile, and Anne Spencer Lindberg Prize in Children's Literature, all 1998, Abby Award, American Booksellers Association, and Sorcieres Prix, 1999, and Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2001, all for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (known in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone); Nestle's Smarties Gold Award and nomination for Whitbread Prize, children's book of the year, 1998, editor's choice selection, Booklist, best book for young adults selection, American Library Association, and award for best book of the year, School Library Journal, 1999, all for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Whitbread Prize for Children's Literature, Nestle Smarties Gold Award, editor's choice selection, Booklist, best book citation, Los Angeles Times, nomination for the Whitbread Prize, book of the year, and notable book citation, American Library Association, all 1999, for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; named one of the most fascinating women of 1999, Ladies' Home Journal magazine; decorated an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 2000; W. H. Smith Children's Book of the Year Award, 2000, and Hugo Award, best novel, Scottish Arts Council book award, and Whitaker's platinum book award, all 2001, for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Prince of Asturias Concord Prize, 2003, for helping promote children's interest in reading; Bram Stoker Award, work for young readers category, Horror Writers Association, 2003, and W. H. Smith Book Award, fiction category, 2004, both for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Rowling's novels were named among the 200 favorite novels of British readers in The Big Read campaign, BBC, 2003, as well as being named among the favorite novels of German readers (Das grosse Lesen survey), 2004, and among the favorite novels of Hungarian readers (A Nagy Koenyv survey), 2005; named British personality of the year, British Independent Film awards, 2004; named one of the top 100 artists and entertainers as part of the Time 100 list, Time magazine, 2004; Quill awards, book of the year and best children's chapter book for the middle grades, both Reed Business Information, 2005, for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; Kids' Choice award, best book category, 2006, for the entire Harry Potter series; honorary degrees from Napier University, Dartmouth College, University of Exeter, University of St. Andrews, all 2000, University of Edinburgh, 2004, and University of Aberdeen, 2006; the asteroid Rowling and housing development Rowling Gate (Bristol, England) named in her honor; the name of the dinosaur Dracorex hogwartsia took its name from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Rowling's Harry Potter books.

CREDITS

Film Character and Universe Creator:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (also known as Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter a kamen mudrcu, Harry Potter a l'ecole des sorciers, Harry Potter e a pedra filosofal, Harry Potter e la pietra filosofale, Harry Potter en de steen der wijzen, Harry Potter es a boelcsek koeve, Harry Potter i kamien filozoficzny, Harry Potter I la pedra filosofal, Harry Potter ja viisasten kivi, Harry Potter och de vises sten, Harry Potter og de vises stein, Harry Potter og de vises sten, Harry Potter og viskusteinninn, Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen, and Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal), Warner Bros., 2001.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (also known as Incident on 57th Street, Harry Potter a tajemna komnata, Harry Potter e a camara dos segredos, Harry Potter e a secreta, Harry Potter e la camera dei segreti, Harry Potter en de geheime kamer, Harry Potter es a titkok kamraja, Harry Potter et la chambre des secrets, Harry Potter i la cambra secreta, Harry Potter ja salaisuuksien kammio, Harry Potter och hemligheternas kammare, Harry Potter og hemmelighedernes kammer, Harry Potter og leyniklefinn, Harry Potter og mysteriekammeret, Harry Potter si camera secretelor, Harry Potter und die Kammer des Schreckens, Harry Potter y la camara de los secretos, and Harry Potter y la camara secreta), Warner Bros., 2002.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (also known as Harry Potter e il prigioniero di Azkaban, Harry Potter en de gevangene van Azkaban, Harry Potter e o prisioneiro de Azkaban, Harry Potter et le prisonnier d'Azkaban, Harry Potter i el pres d'Azkaban, Harry Potter ja Azkabanin vanki, Harry Potter och faangen fraan Azkaban, Harry Potter og fangen fra Azkaban, Harry Potter og fanginn fra Azkaban, Harry Potter und der Gefangene von Askaban, and Harry Potter y el prisionero de Azkaban), Warner Bros., 2004, IMAX version released as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (also known as Harry Potter e il calice di fuoco, Harry Potter en de vuurbeker, Harry Potter e o calice de fogo, Harry Potter et la coupe de feu, Harry Potter i el calze de foc, Harry Potter ja liekehtivae pikari, Harry Potter och den flammande baegaren, Harry Potter og eldbikarinn, Harry Potter og flammernes pokal, Harry Potter og ildbegeret, Harry Potter und der Feuerkelch, Harry Potter y el caliz de fuego, and O Harry Potter kai to kypelo tis fotias), Warner Bros., 2005, IMAX version released as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Warner Bros., 2007.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Warner Bros., c. 2008.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Herself, The Beatles Revolution, ABC, 2000.

Herself, Ladies' Home Journal's Most Fascinating Women of '99, CBS, 2000.

Herself, The Magical World of Harry Potter: The Unauthorized Story of J. K. Rowling, [Great Britain], 2000.

Herself, Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, PBS, 2001.

Herself, The Importance of Being Morrissey, Chrysalis Television, 2002.

Herself, J. K. Rowling and the Story of Harry Potter, BBC and Arts and Entertainment, 2002.

Herself, Comic Relief 2003: The Big Hair Do, BBC, 2003.

Herself, J. K. Rowling: The Interview, BBC, 2003.

Herself, Harry Potter at the Castle: Magic at Midnight, Independent Television (England), 2005.

Herself, Forbes Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank?, E! Entertainment Television, 2006.

Herself, Forbes 20 Richest Women in Entertainment, E! Entertainment Television, 2007.

Appeared in other programs.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Herself, Blue Peter, BBC, 1997.

Herself, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 1999 (multiple episodes), 2000.

(In archive footage) Herself, LeseZeichen, 2000.

Herself, Today (also known as NBC News Today and The Today Show), NBC, 2000.

Herself, "Harry Potter and Me," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Harry Potter and Me and J. K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Me), Arts and Entertainment, 2002.

Voice of herself, "The Regina Monologues," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 2003.

(In archive footage) Herself, "Das grosse Lesen," Unsere Besten, 2004.

Herself, "Harry Potter: Explication d'un succes," Phenomania, 2005.

Guest, Richard & Judy, Channel 4 (England), 2006.

Television Work; Specials:

Consulting producer, Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, PBS, 2001.

Stage Appearances:

Reader at a charity event at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 2006.

RECORDINGS

Video Game Character and Universe Creator:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Electronic Arts, 2001.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Electronic Arts, 2002.

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, Electronic Arts, 2003.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Electronic Arts, 2004.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Electronic Arts, 2005.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Electronic Arts, 2007.

WRITINGS

Novels:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bloomsbury, 1997, published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Scholastic, 1998.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Bloomsbury, 1998, Scholastic, 1999.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Scholastic, 1999.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Scholastic, 2000.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Scholastic, 2003.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Scholastic, 2005.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Scholastic, 2007.

Rowling's Harry Potter novels have been translated into several languages and published in more than 200 countries. Rowling's Harry Potter novels have all been adapted as audiobooks and CD-ROM recordings. Wrote short stories and works for young children. Wrote novels and short stories as a child.

Booklets for Charity:

(As Newt Scamander) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Arthur A. Levine Books, 2001.

(As Kennilworthy Whisp) Quidditch through the Ages, Arthur A. Levine Books, 2001.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Authors and Artists for Young Adults, Volume 34, Gale, 2000.

Baggett, David, and Shawn E. Klein, editors, Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts, Open Court, 2004.

Beahm, George, Muggles and Magic: J. K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Phenomenon, Hampton Roads Publishing, 2004.

Chippendale, Lisa A., Triumph of the Imagination: The Story of Writer J. K. Rowling, Chelsea House, 2002.

Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Volume 25, Thomson Gale, 2005.

Hellman, Elizabeth, editor, Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives, RoutledgeFalmer, 2003.

Kirk, Connie Ann, J. K. Rowling: A Biography, Greenwood Press, 2003.

Major Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults, second edition, Gale, 2002.

Moore, Sharon, editor, Harry Potter, You're the Best! A Tribute from Fans the World Over, St. Martin's Griffin, 2001.

Newsmakers, Issue 1, Gale, 2000.

Shapiro, Marc, J. K. Rowling: The Wizard behind Harry Potter, Griffin Trade, 2000.

Smith, Sean, J. K. Rowling: A Biography, Michael O'Mara Books, 1999.

Ward, S., Meet J. K. Rowling, Powerkids Press, 2004.

Wiener, Gary, editor, Readings on J. K. Rowling, Greenhaven Press, 2004.

Periodicals:

Carousel, summer, 1998, p. 23.

Independent, July 5, 2004, p. 20.

Maclean's, July 24, 2000; July 31, 2000.

National Review, October 11, 1999.

Newsweek, December 7, 1998, p. 79; August 23, 1999, p. 58; November 1, 1999, p. 21; July 17, 2000, p. 52; June 30, 2003, p. 50.

New York Times, July 10, 2000, p. E1.

OK!, July 31, 2002, p. 130.

People Weekly, January 14, 2002, p. 56.

Publishers Weekly, October 23, 2000.

Reader's Digest (Canadian edition), February, 2003, p. 48D.

School Library Journal, September, 1999, pp. 137-39.

Time, September 20, 1999, pp. 67-72; April 26, 2004, p. 91.

Variety, November 29, 2004, pp. A1-A2.

Weekly Standard, November 1, 1999, p. 29.

Electronic:

J. K. Rowling Official Site,http://www.jkrowling.com, February 9, 2007.