J.K. Rowling was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2001.
The honour recognised her services to children’s literature. By that point, four Harry Potter novels had been published: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, followed by the next three books through 2000. The series had already become a major international publishing phenomenon.
An OBE is a British order of chivalry honour awarded for a significant contribution to a particular area, such as public service, culture, or the arts. Rowling’s appointment was part of the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
This honour is distinct from later recognition. Rowling received the Companion of Honour in 2017 for services to literature and philanthropy. She was also recognised with other awards during her career, so the year and level of the honour matter when identifying the OBE.