J.K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling is a British novelist, foremost known as the author of the Harry Potter series. The books circulated worldwide, won multiple awards, and sold over 400 million copies. As the best-selling book series in history they also formed the basis for a series of films, which became the highest-grossing film series in history. Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series in 1990. Rowling had a hard time and little money in the period before the publication of the first Potter-book, after which she rose to multi-millionaire status within five years.
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Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy[edit]
Humanitarian Causes[edit]
Rowling has supported charities including Comic Relief, One Parent Families, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Lumos. The charity organization Lumos, formerly known as Children's High Level Group, which was founded in 2005 by J.K. Rowling and baroness Nicholson of Winterbourn. Lumos is an international NGO working to transform the lives of disadvantaged children in the European Region. Eight million children globally live in large institutions that deny them individual love and care. Many of these children are not orphans, but are separated from their loving families and friends because of poverty or discrimination. Lumos works, both at an international and individual level to prevent this. Institutions are replaced with family and community based services, so that all children can have a real chance of a childhood and a future. Over £18 million has been raised with the publication of Rowling’s popular book “Tales of Beedle the Bard,” which was subsequently donated to Lumos.
Philanthropic Donations[edit]
Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, opened on the 8th October 2013, founded following a substantial donation by J.K. Rowling. To show appreciation, the clinic was named in honor of Rowling’s mother, Anne Rowling, who died of multiple sclerosis at the age of 45. On 6 February 2013 J.K. Rowling was awarded The Beacon Award for Targeted Philanthropy. The Beacon Awards is given to an individual whose philanthropy has achieved a worldwide impact. The award aims to strengthen the culture of individual philanthropy in the UK. By showcasing exceptional examples, like Rowling, the Beacon Awards organization hopes to encourage more people to give in a similar manner.
