John Granger is a speaker and writer whose principal focus is the intersection of literature, faith and culture. He is most well known as the author of several books analysing J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. He writes a weblog called Hogwarts Professor.
Granger was born in Corning, New York and grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. He attended prep school at Philips Exeter Academy and holds an honors degree from the University of Chicago, where he studied classical languages and literature. He is currently writing and speaking full-time. Previously he taught Latin and English at The Asheville School, Peninsula College, and Valley Forge Military Academy.
Granger served for 6 years in the US Marine Corps including postings at the Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, California, and at Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan. He is married to Mary, is a reader in the Orthodox Church, and has seven children.
Described by his publishers as "one of the leading authorities on the Harry Potter books as read in the context of English literature," his specialist interests are iconological literary criticism, the post-modern qualities of and Rowling's use of literary alchemy and eye symbolism in the Harry Potter novels, and the allegorical and anagogical aspects of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga. In addition to How Harry Cast His Spell, Granger is the author of Unlocking Harry Potter: Seven Keys for the Serious Reader (Zossima, 2007; revised 2009), The Deathly Hallows Lectures: The Hogwarts Professor Explains Harry's Last Adventure (Zossima, 2008), and Harry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books Behind the Hogwarts Adventures (Penguin, 2009). He is currently writing Spotlight: A Close-Up Look at the Artistry and Meaning of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga.