More Laurels for J.K. Rowling!

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has just been crowned Morgan Stanley Overall Great Briton of 2007 in the Arts category:

This year saw the final Harry Potter novel published. Selling 11 million copies in its first 24 hours, it broke the record for the fastest-selling book; previously held by the sixth Harry Potter novel, which sold 9 million on its first day in 2005. The books have been translated into 64 different languages. The Order of Phoenix managed to become the first English-language book ever to top the bestseller list in France. In addition, the film of the Order of the Phoenix, in which Harry painfully begins to understand the battles with evil that lie ahead, was released this year. It was described as a deliciously dark affair, brimming with impressively gritty performances still managing to balance magical wonder with breathless excitement.