The couple married in December 2001

The child is her first with husband, Dr Neil Murray.

The baby boy - named David Gordon Rowling Murray - was born on Sunday afternoon at the new Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.

Rowling's publicist Nicky Stonehill said: "Both mother and baby are doing well."

Ms Stonehill would not give any further details, but confirmed Rowling and the baby - her second child - had been released from hospital.

Secret wedding

A hospital spokeswoman said: "We are delighted to be able to confirm that she gave birth to a son at the Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health on Sunday."

Rowling, 37, already has a daughter, Jessica, from a previous marriage.

The writer split from Portuguese journalist Jorges Arantes shortly after the birth.

She married Dr Murray at a secret Boxing day ceremony in 2001 at their home in Aberfeldy, Perthshire.

The birth comes just three months before the eagerly awaited fifth instalment of the boy wizard's adventures hits bookshelves.

Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix will be published on 21 June.