In June 1990, J.K. Rowling was sitting on a train from Manchester to London when an idea popped in to her head. Over the next five years she began to plan out the seven books of the Harry Potter series. The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was eventually published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 1997. the book quickly proved hugely popular and went on to change J.K. Rowling's life and children's book publishing forever.

Exhibition curators, left to right: Julian Harrison, Alex Lock, Tanya Kirk and Joanna NorledgeThe British Library

‘There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.’
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter: A History of Magic feat. Ripley ScrollThe British Library

Synopsis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Synopsis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1995)The British Library

The Synopsis
This is the original synopsis of the first Harry Potter book. It was typed, on her old typewriter, by J.K. Rowling to accompany the opening chapters and circulated among prospective publishers. A copy was submitted to Bloomsbury Publishing and was a significant step in convincing them to offer J.K. Rowling her first contract.

Synopsis of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. RowlingThe British Library

The magical subjects taught at Hogwarts are described here. The prospect of learning more about these magical subjects is part of what makes Harry Potter’s world so fascinating.

Sketch of Hogwarts by J.K. RowlingThe British Library

A Sketch of Hogwarts
This annotated sketch by J.K. Rowling shows the layout of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, complete with the giant squid that lives in the lake. In an accompanying note to her editor, J.K. Rowling stated, ‘This is the layout as I’ve always imagined it’.

The positioning of various buildings and trees are all integral to the storylines of the Harry Potter books. See how the author insists that the ‘Whomping Willow must stand out’.

Handwritten list of subject teachers and Hippogriff names by J.K. Rowling Handwritten list of subject teachers and Hippogriff names by J.K. RowlingThe British Library

Who teaches which subject?
In this handwritten note, made as she was writing The Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling listed the subjects taught at Hogwarts alongside the prospective names of their teachers.

An early version of the Professor of Astronomy’s name is recorded here as ‘Aurelia Sinistra’, later becoming ‘Aurora Sinistra’. J.K. Rowling often uses Latin words for her names and spells. ‘Sinistra’ (Latin for ‘left hand’) is also the name of a star in the constellation of Ophiuchus, better known as the Serpent Bearer.

Handwritten list of subject teachers and Hippogriff names by J.K. RowlingThe British Library

Study of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters by Jim Kay, for The Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library

Platform Nine and Three Quarters
This painting by Jim Kay is a preliminary version of the artwork featured on the front cover of the illustrated Philosopher’s Stone.

It shows the busy Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King’s Cross as the students — among them Harry Potter with his snowy owl, Hedwig — prepare to board the Hogwarts Express. This journey marked Harry’s transition to the world of magic and away from the Muggle realm of the Dursleys.

Handwritten first draft of Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Handwritten first draft of Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library

The Man with Two Faces

This original draft of chapter 17 of The Philosopher’s Stone shows J.K. Rowling’s writing in biro, on unlined paper. The text contains a handful of small deletions, but much of the dialogue remains the same as in the published text.

Some lines were cut during the editorial process. These include Harry’s defiant statement, ‘You haven’t got the stone yet … Dumbledore will be here soon. He’ll stop you.’

Handwritten first draft of Chapter 17 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library

Curators looking at Jim Kay's portrait of Professor DumbledoreThe British Library

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