J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel was published in the United Kingdom in 1997. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released by Bloomsbury on 26 June 1997, introducing Harry, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and the wizarding school Hogwarts.
The book was Rowling’s debut novel and quickly attracted attention through word of mouth, reviews, and awards. Scholastic published the American edition in 1998 under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The change from “Philosopher’s Stone” to “Sorcerer’s Stone” is one of the series’ best-known publishing differences.
The UK publication year is sometimes confused with the American publication year because readers in the United States encountered the book in 1998. Later editions, translations, audiobooks, films, and illustrated versions do not change the original UK publication date. The novel began one of the most commercially successful young-adult fantasy series in publishing history.