J.K. Rowling delivered her Harvard University commencement address in 2008.
She spoke at Harvard’s 357th Commencement on 5 June 2008. Her address, titled “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” reflected on her early setbacks, the value of imagination, and the responsibility to use opportunities to help others.
The speech became widely known beyond the ceremony and was later published as a short book. Its title is often shortened in references, but the full phrase is important because it identifies the two themes Rowling developed: learning from failure and understanding other people through imagination.
Rowling was not a Harvard graduate. She received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university at the same ceremony. The commencement address therefore represents an honorary appearance and speech, not a graduation from Harvard’s undergraduate program.