Rowling receives Edinburgh honour.

Tobias Wright

21 September 2008

JK Rowling moved to Edinburgh roughly fifteen years back Harry Potter writer JK Rowling has been honoured by the town where she made her internationally famous magician books. The writer was chosen to get the Edinburgh Award, which last year went to fellow writer Ian Rankin, creator of the well-liked Rebus series. A board of judges from the fields of humanities, business and science unanimously voted Rowling as the 2008 winner. The award was presented at a rite in Edinburgh. Rowling claimed it was "an comprehensive honour". The writer, who has sold four hundred million books worldwide, recounted : "Edinburgh is much home for me and is the place where Harry developed over 7 books and several, several hours of writing in its cafeterias. She could be an incredible asset to the town, not least for her writing ability but also for her charity and the massive amount of support she gives to countless charities. Edinburgh's lord provost "So much has occurred to me both professionally and personally since I moved here virtually fifteen years back, that to get this recognition is especially pointed and special." The mother-of-three devotes time to diverse charities including the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland, of which she is patron. Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb recounted : "JK Rowling is positively one of the planet's best-loved writers and her books continue to thrill audiences young and old across the world. "Everyone knows the famous tale about how she penned the 1st Harry Potter novel in numerous Edinburgh cafeterias and her literary feats have actually put the town on the map. "She is an amazing asset to the town, not least for her writing ability but also for her charity and the massive amount of support she gives to countless charities.".