The English first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997.
Bloomsbury released the novel in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997. It introduced Harry Potter, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the central conflict with Lord Voldemort. The book was Rowling’s debut novel and began one of the most commercially successful children’s and young-adult fantasy series.
The first U.S. edition appeared in 1998 under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. That title difference sometimes causes confusion when readers compare publication dates. The underlying story is the same, but the American title uses “Sorcerer’s Stone” instead of “Philosopher’s Stone.”
The novel won the 1997 Smarties Prize in the 9–11 years category and helped establish the series before the later books expanded its audience worldwide.