Joanne Rowling, commonly known as J.K. Rowling, is a British author best known for writing the Harry Potter series. Born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England, she developed a passion for storytelling at a young age. The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was published in 1997 and quickly gained worldwide popularity, leading to a successful franchise that includes films, merchandise, and theme parks. In addition to the Harry Potter series, Rowling has written other works, including The Casual Vacancy and the Cormoran Strike detective series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Her contributions to literature have earned her numerous awards and a significant place in contemporary fiction.