The writer who remained true to her creative storytelling, Joanne Kathleen Rowling (1965–), was a single mother on welfare before the release of her enchanting debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997). The best-seller received rave reviews, won prestigious book awards, and sparked the worldwide Harry Potter sensation.

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities," she once said.

Born in Chipping Sodbury, England, Rowling began writing at age six. “Harry was the first I tried to get published,” she explained.

About her overnight fame and fortune, she said: “I write what amuses me. It's totally for myself. I never in my wildest dreams expected this popularity. There's no formula.”

In a great work of fantasy, Rowling created the remarkable boy wizard Harry Potter. His world celebrates courage, kindness, friendship, dreams, magic, and more.

“The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me,” Rowling said.

Since the release of the first Harry Potter book in 1997, Rowling's influence has become legendary. The seven-book series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and inspired a global film franchise, theme parks, and a devoted fanbase. She also launched the digital platform Pottermore, wrote under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, and became one of the most successful and philanthropic authors of all time.

"If someone asked for my recipe for happiness, step one would be finding out what you love doing most in the world and step two would be finding someone to pay you to do it. I consider myself very lucky indeed to be able to support myself by writing," Rowling said.

"I'll be writing until I can't write anymore," she admitted. "It's a compulsion with me. I love writing."