What was the original title of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the United Kingdom?

The original United Kingdom title was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The novel was published in Britain in 1997 with the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. When Scholastic published the American edition in 1998, it changed the title to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

The title change is one of the most commonly discussed differences between British and American editions of the series. Several references to “philosopher” were also adjusted to “sorcerer” in the American text, including dialogue and wording connected with the magical object.

The object itself is the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, traditionally associated with alchemy and the search for a substance capable of producing gold and extending life. The American title retained the same plot and characters.