The famous writer J.K. Rowling is celebrating 20 years since first Harry Potter book was published and has been honored for her charity work and services to literature by being made Company of Honor at Buckingham Palace.
The honorary title
This is a very rare title and it has been awarded to 52-year-old best-selling writer not only for her literature contribution but also for her philanthropy.
J.K. Rowling has been decorated with this rare title, in addition to her OBE she was awarded in 2001. The award was established by George V in 1917 and the membership can be given to only 65 at any time and acknowledges their efforts in areas of national importance. Others collecting honors include composer and conductor Sir George Benjamin for services to music, Brian Noble for services to rugby league and Rosemary Johnson for services to music after using brain waves to perform again.
Last year, Sir Paul McCartney and Delia Smith were appointed Companions of Honor, which is one of the highest awards in the Queen’s birthday honors together with the Order of Merit, which is awarded to people who have made major contributions to the arts, science, medicine or government lasting over a long period of time.
The Author’s Impact
Since she published Harry Potter 20 years ago, not only a whole new realm was born but also theme parks, rides, movies, theatre productions and much more.
The famous boy wizard simply “fell” into her head while she was on a crowded train to London in 1990. The idea simply landed in her mind and she couldn’t wait to start writing it. She finished her book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1995 and was originally rejected by twelve publishing houses. The book was published in 1996 thanks to Alice Newton, 8-year-old daughter of a publisher from Bloomsbury, who loved the book. She wrote seven Harry Potter books until 2007 and gained enormous success and became the highest paid author, worth around $650 million according to Forbes.
J.K. Rowling has also published The Strike Series under the name of Robert Galbraith and gained over ten million followers on Twitter.
She uses her account to campaign for her charities, including Lumos, her charity for children welfare, and speaks about important issues like Brexit and President Donald Trump. She also supports the research and treatment for multiple sclerosis from which her mother suffered before her death in 1990.
She participated in many auctions and charities including ones for Dyslexia Action, News of the World, The Shannon Trust and English PEN.
