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1) The Beginning of J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling had the intentions to become a writer at 6 years old, when she wrote her first book, called "Rabbit". Jo Rowling described it to be "...a work of towering genius...". She presented it to her mother, who complimented it. Rowling responded with, "Well, get it published then" (J.K. Rowling 1). Rowling thought about how abnormal for someone who was that young to have dreams that ambitious. This is an example of a window in Rowling's life, she saw what she had the potential of becoming. -
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2) The Passion of J.K. Rowling
Rowling was a very avid reader as a child, developing her love of literature. Her favorite books include "The Little White Horse", by Elizabeth Goudge, "Manxmouse", by Paul Gallico, and "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", by C.S. Lewis.
Rowling went to the Wyedean Comprehensive School- she said, "I hope I was neither as clever or as annoying as Hermione" (J.K. Rowling 1). She graduated with A's in 3 languages. This is a window showing how her love of literature would help in her future. -
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Sean Harris
After Rowling moved on to secondary school at Wydean Comprehensive, she met Sean Harris, the man she later dedicated the Chamber of Secrets to. The flying Blue Ford Anglia that is featured in the Chamber of Secrets was inspired by Sean Harris's own Ford Angelia. J.K. Rowling has stated before that some of her best memories were when she was with Sean Harris- he was the first person she talked to about being a writer and he was the first person to look at that seriously (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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University of Exeter
She attended the University of Exeter, on the south coast of England. Rowling had the desire to take English Literature; she ended up taking French as her major due to the fact that her parents believed English Literature wouldn't lead her anywhere. However, she got to spend a year in France (J.K. Rowling 1). This is an example of a door because she learned something new, as well as shut a door leading to a career including French, due to the fact that she knew she didn't want it. -
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Amnesty International
J.K. Rowling graduated from the University of Exeter with a Bachelor's Degree in both French and the Classics. After that, she decided to be a researcher in London for Amnesty International- an organization that fights against human rights abuse. Amnesty International is made up of seven million people from 150 countries and territories (Amnesty International 1). This is a door that Rowling opened so that she would be able to help individuals suffering from human rights abuse. -
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3) The Birth of Harry Potter
While J.K. Rowling was on her way back to London on a train, the idea of Harry Potter appeared in her mind, which was the most exciting idea she had ever conjured. However, the idea of the book that she had in her mind didn't resemble the finished product at all. This was due to the fact that she didn't have a pen at the time and was too shy to ask for one. This situation is an example of a door that Rowling opened, which would lead her to something big. -
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4) The Death of Anne Rowling
Rowling's mother passed away at 45 as a result of MS, which is a disease where one's immune system attacks myelin (What is MS? 1). Rowling once said, "I remember feeling as though there was a paving slab pressing down upon my chest, a literal pain in my heart..." (J.K. Rowling 1). However, this event affected the story of Harry Potter- his character lost his parents at an early age. This acts as a mirror because the character of Harry Potter acts as a reflection based on J.K. Rowling herself. -
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A New Beginning for Rowling
Rowling moved to Portugal and was an English teacher at a language institute where she taught during the afternoon and the evening. She had just been recently divorced and she moved to Portugal where she continued the manuscript for Harry Potter. Although her marriage ended badly, she was pregnant with a girl (J.K. Rowling 1). This is a door in Rowling's life because this was very new for her. -
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Rock Bottom
Rowling hit what she called "rock bottom" and gave all her energy to "finishing the only work that mattered to [her]" (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Jessica Rowling
Jessica Rowling was born (J.K. Rowling). Her birth acts as a door for Joanne Rowling because she was a new individual in Rowling's life. -
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Harry Potter Has A Chance
Rowling finished the manuscript and mailed it to an agent; it was sent back. However, she sent it again and got a letter from Christopher Little, asking to see more. The manuscript was then passed to Barry Cunningham, who said to "get a day job... there's very little chance of making money in children's books..." (J.K. Rowling 1). She applied for a grant from the Scottish Arts Council, getting her £8,000 to provide for her needs and to work on her next book. This is a door-her work was accepted. -
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5)Bloomsbury Offer
Rowling received a call from Christopher Little saying that she received an offer from Bloomsbury to publish Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in June 1997 (J.K. Rowling 1). This also acted as a door because her book would be spread throughout the world. -
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6)J. K. Rowling
Barry Cunningham, who worked for Bloomsbury, asked Jo Rowling to consider using the pen name of J.K. Rowling so that the Harry Potter series would appeal to boys. The J stands for Joanne and the K stands for Kathleen (J.K. Rowling 1). After 2 years, 300,000 copies were sold. Now 107 million copies have been sold and it has been translated into 74 languages, like Latin and Ancient Greek (Person 1). This acts as a door- she became known all around the world. -
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The second book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was published and became #1 on the adult hardback bestseller charts after a month it was published (J.K. Rowling 1). It has been translated into 72 languages and 77 million copies have been sold (Person 1). This is also a door because Rowling is becoming more well known. -
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7)Bologna Book Fair
In April 1997, Christopher Little ran an auction at the American Publishing Rights for the Philosopher's Stone at the Bologna Book Fair. Scholastic Books made a successful offer; the first book was published in the US in September of 1998, with the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (J.K. Rowling 1). They changed Philosopher to Sorcerer so it wouldn't be misleading (Person 1). This is a door in Rowling's life because her book became available for many others, resulting in more fans. -
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8)Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban
The third book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, was published on July 8th, 1999. This book placed #1 on the UK adult hardback bestseller charts for four weeks straight (J.K. Rowling). On the first day, 68,000 copies were sold, just in the UK. In the US, it became #1 on the New York Times bestseller list (Person 1). Like all the other books, the publication of Prisoner of Azkaban acted as a door. -
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9)Gingerbread
Rowling was the ambassador for an organization named Gingerbread, which provides advice, support, and campaigns for lone parents and their children (Gingerbread 1). She was made president of the charity in 2007 (J.K. Rowling). This organization acted as a door because it showed that Rowling began to pursue philanthropy. When she became president of the organization, that acted as a mirror because it showed her how far she had gone. -
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10)Volant Trust
J. K. Rowling created her own charity, called Volant Trust, which helps social deprivation for both women and children (J.K. Rowling). This organization also supports multiple sclerosis (The Volant Charitable Trust 1). -
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series, was published on July 8, 2000, and created a new record of one million copies sold in the UK on the first day (J.K. Rowling). Three million copies of the book was sold on the first two days (Person 1). This is a door because Rowling is consistently progressing in her accomplishments. -
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Order of the British Empire
The Prince of Wales presented J. K. Rowling with the Order of the British Empire award as a result of her providing to children's literature (J.K. Rowling 1). This accomplishment acts as a mirror because it allows her to see the good that she has done. -
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Harry Potter Branch- Offs
In 2001, Rowling wrote two smaller books that acted as branch- offs of Harry Potter- "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Quidditch Through The Ages". Both books raised over £17 million (J.K. Rowling). -
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Harry Potter: The Movie
The first movie of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, came out in London on November 12, 2001 (J.K. Rowling 1). The movie gained $93.5 million in box office, leaving only a few records unbroken (Johnston 1). -
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Dr. Neil Murray
Dr. Neil Murray and J. K. Rowling got married (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The fifth book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, came out and made more record sales (J.K. Rowling). This was another door in Rowling's life. -
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Harry Potter Movie #2
The movie Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets came out in both the UK and the US (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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11) MS Society
Rowling was made the patron of MS Society, Scotland, where she was expected to plan and host fundraising events, manage the lobby, and raise awareness. Rowling also funds research for MS for the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. This also acts as a door because she's gaining more ways to commit acts of philanthropy (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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David Murray
David Murray, J. K. Rowling's son, was born. -
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Harry Potter and the Half- Blood Prince
The 6th book in the Harry Potter series was published on June 21, 2003 in Great Britain, US, Canada, and Australia, where it broke all records that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire made as well as became the fastest selling book in history (J.K. Rowling 1). On the first day it released, 11 million copies were sold (Person 1). This is a door because it impacted so much more people than the other books. -
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12) Prince of Asturias for Concord Award
Prince of Asturias was heir to the throne of Spain and gave his award to her that's mean for "individuals, entities, or organisations that make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs" (J.K. Rowling). J. K. Rowling was given this award in Oviedo, Spain. -
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Harry Potter Movie #3
The third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, came out in the UK (J.K. Rowling). It made $796.69 million in box office (Lewis 1). -
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Mackenzie Murray
Mackenzie Murray, Rowling's third child, was born (J.K. Rowling). -
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Harry Potter Movie #4
The fourth movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was released in the UK (J.K. Rowling). It made $150 million in box office (Lewis 1). -
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Blue Peter Gold badge
Rowling won the Blue Peter Gold badge in 2007. This badge is awarded to viewers, fans, or individuals who have been on any award- winning BBC children's television programs. Other esteemed winners include David Beckham and Queen Elizabeth II (J.K. Rowling). -
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Harry Potter Movie #5
The fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, came out on July 12, 2007 (J.K. Rowling). It made $150 million in box office (Lewis 1). -
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The seventh book, in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was published on July 21, 2007 in the UK, US, and other English speaking countries (J.K. Rowling). Over 15 million books were sold worldwide, breaking J.K. Rowling's own record (Person 1). -
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The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Rowling came up with seven copies of wizard fairy tales named "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Lifetime Achievement Award
Rowling received the lifetime achievement award based on her Book of the Year award she received in 2006 (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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13) Harvard Alumni Association
Rowling was asked to give the Commencement Address at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. Her speech was called "The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination" (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Harry Potter: The Exhibition
The opening of Harry Potter: The Exhibition took place in Chicago, Illinois, where it featured artifacts, and props from the Harry Potter films. The exhibition had six record- breaking stops in six different cities worldwide (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Harry Potter Movie #6
The sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half- Blood Prince, came out on July 15, 2009 (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award
J. K. Rowling was the first recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award in 2010 (J.K. Rowling). -
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University of Edinburgh
Rowling donated £10 million to the University of Edinburgh for the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. This clinic helps people with multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases and researches neurodegeneration (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Universal Orlando Resort, Florida (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Harry Potter Movie #7 pt. 1
The seventh movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt.1, came out on November, 19, 2010 in the UK and US (J.K. Rowling). It made $960.28 million in box office (Lewis 1). -
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Outstanding British Contribution
At the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2011, the Harry Potter series received and Outstanding British Contribution Award (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Pottermore
Rowling launched a website named Pottermore, with the purpose to convey the difficulty of stopping the Harry Potter experience (J.K. Rowling). -
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Harry Potter Movie #7 pt. 2
The eighth movie in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly pt.2, came out on July 15, 2011 in the UK and the US. The movie had the biggest opening of all time, both domestically and internationally, and it became the third highest ranking movie worldwide (J.K. Rowling). -
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Behind the Scenes
Warner Brothers decided to take a tour around London, to present the behind- the- scenes action of Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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14) Freedom of the City of London
The Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving ceremonies- it was first presented to an individual in 1237. This award was presented to Rowling as a right to earn money and land (J.K. Rowling 1). -
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Wonderbook: Book of Spells
Rowling partnered up with PlayStation3 to create a game based on the Harry Potter series and made Wonderbook: Book of Spells (J.K. Rowling). -
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London 2012 Olympic Games
J.K. Rowling read a piece of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan at the London 2012 Olympic Games in order to celebrate British children's literature and NHS. During her read aloud, large puppet representations of children's literature villains, such as Lord Voldemort (J.K. Rowling). -
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The Beacon Award for Targeted Philanthropy
J.K. Rowling was given the Beacon Award for Targeted Philanthropy (J.K. Rowling).