Joanne K Rowling

I’ve always admired JK Rowling’s work but after completing the Harry Potter series I not only wanted to learn about her as a writer but as a person as well. Mrs. Rowling is a woman who is admired by many and is a role model and idol to people around the world for both her writing and ability to overcome adversity.

JK with husband at Gala Dinner (www.contactmusic.com)

Joanne Rowling was born in Gloucestershire, England in 1965, 2 years before her sister Dianne. She attended primary school when she was four years old and has completed secondary school and university as well. Rowling’s mother had died during a year when Rowling was at university, from multiple sclerosis. Two years after, Mrs. Rowling married a Portuguese man, Jorge Arantas, and they have a baby girl named Jessica. The marriage didn’t last as they divorced two years later. While raising her young daughter by herself and battling fits of depression, Joanne started writing drafts to a story, which has now become Harry Potter. Rowling was now climbing her way to success. Close to eight years ago she married a man by the name of Neil Michael Murray and had a son, David, and another daughter Mackenzie. Rowling’s own hero is Jessica Mitford whose autobiography was given to her as a gift when she was young. Since then, she has read all her books and is Joanne’s own inspiration in writing her own novels, Harry Potter.

JK Rowling at Harry Potter 7 book release. (www.contactmusic.com)

JK Rowling has been writing since she was six years old and she knew she was going to be an author in primary school. Joanne is most commonly known as the author of the famous Harry Potter series. Mrs. Rowling first got the idea in 1990 on a train to Manchester. As she reached her apartment she started writing immediately. Her first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released in 1997 and had been inspired by her fans to continue and finish the series. The last novel of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released in 2007. The books have been a great success and have won many awards to prove what an amazing writer she is. Some of these awards include, two Nestlé Smarties Book Prizes, two British Book Awards,a Children’s Book of the Year (1997) and the Children’s Book Award.

JK Rowling with British Book Award in 2008. (www.contactmusic.com)

With the awards and money JK received, she contributed to many charities and benefits. At a charity fund raiser Rowling said “I think you have a moral responsibility when you’ve been given far more than you need to do wise things with it and give responsibly.” This is exactly what she continues to do. Rowling, using the money that her book and now movies have made, has donated to many charities and fundraiser. Some of these include one million pounds to the Labour Party and four hundred ninety-five thousand dollars to a reward fund for the safe return of a girl who went missing in Portugal. Rowling has also founded or is involved with certain charities. They consist of, The Volant Charitable Trust which was established by Rowling in 2000 , the Children’s High Level Group which was founded by Rowling and a friend in 2005 and is the president of One Parent Families as she was once one herself.

In conclusion, I find JK Rowling a fascinating person. In my mind she is a true hero. She is a hard worker, has gone through many hardships and she has never forgotten her roots. Many people admire Mrs. Rowling, including young readers, for the donations she has made to people in need as well as a family of her own within her busy life. JK Rowling is a woman who is admired by many and is a role model and idol to people all over the world for both her writing for writing and ability to overcome adversity.