JK Rowling
Jo's Family and FriendsPeter James Rowling :: Father
Peter Rowling is the father of Jo Rowling. He worked in a Rolls-Royce aircraft engine plant in Bristol while Jo was growing up. He married Anne Volant on March 14, 1965 in All Saints Parish Church near London. The couple met on a train from Kings Cross Station in London. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is dedicated to him, stating "To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr. Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard."
Anne Volant Rowling :: Mother
Anne Rowling is the half-Scottish and half- French mother of Jo Rowling. She married Peter Rowling on March 14, 1965 in All Saints Parish Church near London. The couple met on a train from Kings Cross Station in London. While Jo was growing up, she worked as a lab technician. She deceased after a ten year battle with multiple sclerosis on December 30, 1990. Unfortunately, Jo never told her mother that she was writing Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is dedicated to her stating "For Jessica, who loves stories, For Anne, who loved them too; And for Di, who heard this one first." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to her, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
Dianne Rowling :: Sister
Dianne (Di) Rowling was born on June 28, 1967 to Anne and Peter Rowling in Yate. She is the younger sister of Jo by two years. Jo stated that her birth was the first important memory that she could remember. Di married Roger Moore in Edinburgh on September 3, 1993. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is dedicated to her stating "For Jessica, who loves stories, For Anne, who loved them too; And for Di, who heard this one first." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to her, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
Ernie Rowling :: Paternal Grandfather
Ernie Rowling is the paternal grandfather of Jo. He ran a grocery store with his wife Kathleen called Glenwood Stores in Station Road, West Mors. The bus driver of the Knight Bus, Ernie, is named after him.
Kathleen Rowling :: Paternal Grandmother
Kathleen Rowling is the paternal grandmother of Jo who died when Jo was niney ears old. Her name was chosen by Jo to be the second initial of her penname- JK Rowling.
Janet Gallivan Rowling :: Paternal Step-Grandmother
Janet Rowling is the second wife of Ernie Rowling, whom he married after the death of his first wife Kathleen. They married on April 2, 1993.
Stan Volant :: Maternal Grandfather
Stan Volant is the maternal grandfather of Jo. He and his wife Frieda lived in Tufnell Park in London. The conductor of the Knight Bus, Stan, is named after him.
Frieda Volant :: Maternal Grandmother
Frieda Volant is Jo's maternal grandmother. She lived in Tufnell Park in London with her husband Stan.
Jorge Arantes :: First Husband
Jorge Arantes is the first husband of Jo. They married on October 16, 1992 in Porto, Portugal. He met Jo at a bar called Meia Cava in March of 1992. He is the father of Jo's oldest daughter Jessica. In November, 1993 he kicked Jo out of the house, and Jo and Jessica shortly after returned to Edinburgh afterward. The divorce was finalized on June 26, 1995.
Neil Murray :: Second and Current Husband
Neil Murray is the second and current husband of Jo. The couple was married on December 26, 2001 at the Killiechassie House in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland. He previously worked as senior house officer in anesthetics at the Edinburgh hospital, and later went to study for a general practice. He is the father of Jo's younger children David and Mackenzie. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is dedicated to him, stating "To Neil, Jessica, and David, who make my world magical." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to him, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
Jessica Isabel Rowling :: Daughter
Jessica Rowling is the oldest daughter of Jo. She was born on July 27, 1993 in Porto, Portugal. Her name Jessica comes from Jo's idol, Jessica Mitford. Her father is Jorge Arantes. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is dedicated to her stating "For Jessica, who loves stories, For Anne, who loved them too; And for Di, who heard this one first." Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is also dedicated to her, stating "To Neil, Jessica, and David, who make my world magical." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to her, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
David Gordon Rowling Murray :: Son
David Murray is Jo's first son and child with Neil Murray. He was born on March 24, 2003. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is dedicated to him, stating "To Neil, Jessica, and David, who make my world magical." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to him, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
Mackenzie Jean Rowling Murray :: Daughter
Mackenzie Murray is Jo's second daughter and child with Neil Murray. She was born on January 23, 2005. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is dedicated to her, stating "To Mackenzie, my beautiful daughter, I dedicate her ink-and-paper twin." Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is also dedicated to her, stating "The dedication of this book is split seven ways: to Neil, to Jessica, to David, to Kenzie, to Di, to Anne, and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end."
Sean P.F. Harris :: Best Friend
Sean Harris is Jo's best friend since they attended Wyedean Comprehensive School. He is the owner of the Ford Anglia that inspired the Weasley's car in the Harry Potter books. Jo has previously stated that a lot of Ron's character comes from Sean. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is dedicated to him, stating "Sen P. F. Harris, Getaway Driver and Foulweather Friend."
Aine Kiely :: Friend
Aine Kiely was one of Jo's flat mates. Aine and another friend of theirs, Jill Prewett, are the subjects of the dedications of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, stating "To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, the Godmothers of Swing."
Jill Prewett :: Friend
Jill Prewett was a flat mate of Jo's. Jill and Aine Kiely are the subjects of the dedications of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, stating "To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, the Godmothers of Swing." Jo used her name in the Harry Potter series as the maiden name of Molly Weasley (Molly Prewett).
Susan Sladden :: Friend
Susan Sladden was a member of Jo's church, the Church of Scotland. She would baby-sit Jessica while Jo would write Harry Potter in cafes. Jo says that "Susan really helped me." Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is dedicated to her, stating "To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr. Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard."
Troy :: Friend
Troy was mentioned to be one of Jo's oldest friends. Jo described her as "a passionate supporter of the West Ham Football Club. It is in her honour that the only soccer team ever mentioned in the books is West Ham." Jo used her name as a name for one of the chasers on the Irish National Quidditch Team.
Ronald Ridley :: Family Friend
Ronald Ridley was a family friend. Jo used his name Ronald as the name of Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was dedicated to him, stating "To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr. Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard."
Information gathered from the HP-Lexicon!