The author of the "Harry Potter" series is J.K. Rowling. She is a British author who conceived the idea for the series during a train journey from Manchester to London in 1990. The first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (titled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the U.S.), was published in 1997 and became a global phenomenon. The series consists of seven books that follow the journey of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rowling's work has had a profound impact on popular culture and has inspired films, stage adaptations, and a vast fan community.