J.K. Rowling is more inspiring than royalty, if you live in Manchester

Confirming the long-held suspicions of many, J.K. Rowling is the most inspiring British woman — among people in Manchester. She tied with Olympic champion Jessica Ennis; they were followed shortly by the queen. Helen Mirren came in third, and Kate Middleton was farther down the list, in a distant seventh. (Although backlash against Hilary Mantel's criticism of the Duchess of Cambridge might get Kate some sympathy votes.) When the survey was extended to all of Britain, Rowling was bumped back to third with 39 percent calling her inspiring, with the queen and Ennis tied with 42 percent. So there you have it: It's officially more inspiring to rise from poverty and become an internationally beloved author than it is to be born (or marry) into the monarchy. At least in Manchester. [Source]

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