Walter Mosley

American novelist · United States · On the map · Writers · Born 1952 · age 74

Walter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hardboiled detective Easy Rawlins, a private investigator living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

Walter Mosley is read about 227 times a day, in 19 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2025“There was a period of time where all the books in the world could fit on this shelf,' Walter Mosley said.”In their words"Walter Mosley’s favorites? That’s easy." (2025)Read the whole statement

“When you run into Hammett and his political history, you see that he’s explaining what’s wrong with society, the crime of society itself. And how can you be a hero inside that?”In their words"Walter Mosley’s favorites? That’s easy." (2025)Read the whole statement

“There was a desire - it wasn’t a marketing desire, it was ‘I want everybody to read this and to understand it no matter what level they’re at in their own education.’ Robert E.”In their words"Walter Mosley’s favorites? That’s easy." (2025)Read the whole statement

“If I only wrote Easy Rawlins, I might be a lot more successful, money-wise and stuff, but the work would be dead.”In their words"Walter Mosley’s favorites? That’s easy." (2025)Read the whole statement

2023Cartier Diamond DaggerAward2019Edgar AwardsAward2014Langston Hughes MedalAward2010NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, FictionAward2008NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, FictionAward2005“Lawyer even sounds like liar.”In their wordsWalking the Line (2005)Read the whole statement

“The police and I have a deal. I don't talk to them and they don't listen to me.”In their wordsWalking the Line (2005)Read the whole statement

2004Nero AwardAward2001Grammy Award for Best Album NotesAward1998Anisfield-Wolf Book AwardsAward1991CWA New Blood DaggerAwardShamus AwardAward1952Born12 January 1952

People around Walter

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Media & music

Photos 2

Mosley at the 2024 National Book Awards, introducing Paul Coates

In their own words 1

Walter Mosley

One statement

The DC world was: There’s good and bad, and it’s an absolute thing.
2025 · "Walter Mosley’s favorites? That’s easy." (2025), Own words

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Awards

Cartier Diamond Dagger2023

Edgar Awards2019

Langston Hughes Medal2014

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction2010

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction2008

Nero Award2004

Grammy Award for Best Album Notes2001

Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards1998

CWA New Blood Dagger1991

Shamus Award1991

About this person

In 2020, Mosley received the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, making him the first Black man to receive the honor.

Country

United States