If you’ve ever wondered why the first Harry Potter book has a different name in the UK to the USA, fear not, we’re here to bring you the answer.
It’s one of the biggest selling books and movie series of all time, and has turned the controversial author JK Rowling into a very rich woman.
But, in order to get things off the ground in the USA as well as the UK, some tough decisions needed to be made.
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The Philosopher’s Stone refers to a legendary artefact that can grant people eternal life, as well as being used in alchemy, the fictional art of turning base metals into gold.
OK, so that isn’t exactly something that kids in the USA would know about, but realistically neither would UK schoolchildren?
So, why change the name?
For the US audience - and in probably one of the most famous tough decisions to be made - was to rename the first book in the series to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
One Reddit user asked: “In America, the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book, is called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
“What is the reason?
“It’s something that’s always puzzled me.
“Is your film called that too?
“Did they film two versions of the same scene, only changing out philosopher for sorcerer? Do you guys say philosopher?
“Or sorcerer?
Well, the simple fact is that the name was changed to attempt to appeal to a broader audience.
It has long been suggested that Arthur A. Levine, former head of Scholastic, the company that bought the US rights to the book series, wanted to get as many people on board as possible.
To do that, they decided to make the name of the book a little more on-the-nose, really leaning into the magical themes of the series.
It did take some negotiation, though.
In his biography of Rowling, Phillip W. Errington said: "Levine noted that he needed a title that said 'magic' more overtly to American readers.
"He [Levine] continued, 'I certainly did not mind Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone but I can see... why a book that is titled Philosopher’s Stone might seem more arcane or something.
"So the title that I had suggested to me and which I then turned to Jo was Harry Potter and the School of Magic.
"Jo very thoughtfully said, 'No, that doesn’t feel right to me'.
"She went on to say that 'there are objects' she would like before suggesting the Sorcerer’s Stone. And that's exactly what they went with.”
Since then, Rowling has had a few extra thoughts on the matter, and even admits that she wishes they hadn’t changed the name.
Speaking to the BBC for Red Nose Day in 2001, she said: "They changed the first title, but with my consent,
"To be honest, I wish I hadn't agreed now, but it was my first book, and I was so grateful that anyone was publishing me I wanted to keep them happy."
Topics: US News, UK News, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, TV and Film, Books
Tom Wood