J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel was published in 1997.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone appeared in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997, published by Bloomsbury. It introduced Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the central conflict with Lord Voldemort.
The book was Rowling’s first published novel and became the beginning of a seven-book series. Its success grew through word of mouth, school readers, reviews, and awards. Scholastic published the United States edition in 1998 under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, changing the subtitle for American readers.
That title difference sometimes causes confusion about the publication date. The British original came first in 1997, while the American edition followed in 1998. The story is the same novel, but “Philosopher’s Stone” is the original title used in the United Kingdom and many other countries.