J.K. Rowling, whose full name is Joanne Rowling, is a British author best known for creating the Harry Potter series. She was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. Rowling’s writing career took off with the publication of her first novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (titled “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the United States), in 1997. The book became an international phenomenon and launched a highly successful series that captured the imaginations of millions of readers worldwide.