J.K. Rowling is a British author and philanthropist, best known for her seven-book Harry Potter series, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling book series in history. She was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England.

Rowling began writing the first Harry Potter novel, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (known as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the US), while working as a teacher and living on welfare. The book was published in 1997 and became an instant bestseller, leading to six more books in the series, each of which was a commercial and critical success.

Aside from the Harry Potter series, Rowling has also written other novels, such as "The Casual Vacancy" and "The Cuckoo's Calling" under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. She has also written several screenplays, including "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," and its sequels.

Rowling has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Hugo Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year. She has also been recognized for her charitable work, particularly through her Lumos Foundation, which works to end the institutionalization of children around the world.

Despite her success, Rowling has also faced controversy, particularly surrounding her views on transgender issues. She has been criticized for comments she has made about transgender individuals, and her stance has led to calls to boycott her work.

Overall, Rowling's impact on literature and pop culture has been significant, and her Harry Potter series has become a beloved cultural phenomenon.