Harry Potter Author's Dedication

JK Rowling always dedicated her books to certain people. Ever wonder who are the people whose names is written on the beginning of each book and why they get the honorary position?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone

For Jessica, who loves stories, for Anne, who loved them too, and for Di, who heard this one first.

Jessica is JK's twelve-year-old daughter. Anne was JK's mother, who, unfortunately, died of Multiple Sclerosis on December 30th, 1990. Dianne, or Di, is JK's younger sister who she read Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone before Jo sent it off to be reviewed.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

For Sean P.F. Harris, getaway driver and foulweather friend.

JK met Sean at her secondary school, Wyedean, when she was eleven. "He was the first of my friends to learn to drive and that turquoise and white car meant FREEDOM and no more having to ask my father to give me lifts, which is the worst thing about living in the countryside when you are a teenager." JK said in her website, JKR.com. "Some of the happiest memories of my teenage years involve zooming off into the darkness in Sean's car. He was the first person with whom I really discussed my serious ambition to be a writer and he was also the only person who thought I was bound to be a success at it, which meant much more to me than I ever told him at the time."

Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban

To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, the godmothers of Swing.

Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely were JK's flatmates when she lived in Portugal. They used to visit a club/restaurant called "Swing" regularly. Because they spent so much time there, Jo called themselves its godmothers.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

To Peter Rowling, in memory of Mr Ridley and to Susan Sladden, who helped Harry out of his cupboard.

Peter Rowling is JK's father. Mr Ridley refers to Ronald Ridley, an old family friend of the Rowlings. This man's name was the inspiration for Ron Weasley's name. Susan Sladden could be the Susan JK once referred to in an interview as the woman who used to look after Jessica (JK's daughter) while she worked on the Harry Potter books.

Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix

To Neil, Jessica and David, who make my world magical.

Dr. Neil Murray is Jk's husband. Jessica, her daughter. And David, her son.

Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince

To Mackenzie, my beautiful daughter, I dedicate her ink and paper twin.

Mackenzie Jean Rowling Murray, JK's third child, was born on January 23rd, 2005. Mackenzie and Book 6 were being "made" (developed/written) around the same time, and were both finished (born/published) almost simultaneously, hence Mackenzie's "ink and paper twin".

Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows

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.

The "seven-way split" refers to some of those with whom JK has shared her life while writing Harry; Dr. Neil Murray is JK's husband; Jessica, David, and Mackenzie are her children; Di is JK's younger sister, Dianne/Anne is JK's mother who died at 45 of MS (although JK's mother did not know of the books since she died early on, JK has said her death had a profound influence on how the series was written), and the final dedication is to all the fans who have made Harry's journey their own.