What honorific order appointment did J.K. Rowling receive in 2001?

J.K. Rowling was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2001.

The appointment appeared in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours. The Order of the British Empire is a United Kingdom order recognizing contributions to the arts, sciences, public service, and other areas. Its grades include Member, Officer, Commander, and higher ranks.

Rowling received the OBE for services to children’s literature. By that point, the first four Harry Potter novels had been published in the United Kingdom, and the series had become a major international publishing success.

The abbreviation OBE is often confused with the full honorific title. Rowling’s award was Officer, not Member or Commander. She later received other recognitions, including the Companion of Honour in 2017, but that is a separate order and should not be substituted for her 2001 OBE.