Bloomsbury published J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels in the United Kingdom.
The London-based independent publisher released Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on 26 June 1997. The book was acquired after editor Barry Cunningham recognized its potential, and illustrator Thomas Taylor created the original British cover image. Bloomsbury subsequently published the remaining six main-series novels in Britain.
Scholastic handled the American editions, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 1998. This division explains why British and American readers sometimes know the first book by different titles. Bloomsbury’s editions retained “Philosopher’s Stone,” while Scholastic changed the title for the U.S. market.
The Harry Potter deal became one of the most commercially important publishing successes in modern history. Bloomsbury expanded its children’s publishing list and continued publishing Rowling’s related works, including companion books and later wizarding-world titles.