Joanne (J. K.) Rowling (1965- ) is a British author who wrote the “Harry Potter” series from 1997 to 2007. These fantasy novels about a boy wizard bewitch children and adults alike. Together they make up the best selling books in history (with over 500 million copies sold and 80 translations globally). Rowling is the first person to have become a billionaire simply through writing, and she has now given much of her fortune to charities. She has also written mystery novels, screenplays, and more.