David Grann is a renowned American journalist and author known for his captivating storytelling and meticulous research. As a staff writer for The New Yorker, he has penned gripping narratives and investigative pieces. Grann's literary works, including "The Lost City of Z" and "Killers of the Flower Moon," have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, showcasing his ability to weave together history, adventure, and suspense.
1925: Percy Fawcett's Disappearance
British explorer Percy Fawcett disappeared in the Amazon in 1925 while searching for the Lost City of Z.
March 10, 1967: Birth of David Grann
On March 10, 1967, David Elliot Grann, an American journalist and author, was born.
1989: Graduation from Connecticut College and Start of Journalism Career
David Grann graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in Government in 1989. He received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and began working as a freelance journalist in Mexico.
1993: Completion of Master's Degree at Fletcher School
In 1993, David Grann obtained a master's degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
1994: Career Beginnings at The Hill and Master's Degree in Creative Writing
David Grann started working as a copy editor at The Hill, a Washington, D.C. newspaper, in 1994. In the same year, he earned a master's degree in creative writing from Boston University and taught creative writing and fiction courses.
1995: Promotion to Executive Editor at The Hill
David Grann was promoted to executive editor at The Hill in 1995.
1996: Transition to Senior Editor at The New Republic
In 1996, David Grann took on the role of senior editor at The New Republic.
September 11, 2001: Contribution to "What We Saw: The Events of September 11, 2001"
David Grann's articles were included in the anthology "What We Saw: The Events of September 11, 2001," documenting the events of that day.
2003: Joining The New Yorker
David Grann's career reached a new height when he became a staff writer for The New Yorker in 2003.
2003: Featured in "The Best American Sports Writing"
David Grann's work was featured in "The Best American Sports Writing" in 2003.
2004: Featured in "The Best American Crime Writing"
David Grann's work was featured in "The Best American Crime Writing" in 2004.
2005: Featured in "The Best American Crime Writing"
David Grann's work was featured in "The Best American Crime Writing" in 2005.
2005: Finalist for the Michael Kelly Award
David Grann was named a finalist for the Michael Kelly Award in 2005.
2006: Featured in "The Best American Sports Writing"
David Grann's work was featured in "The Best American Sports Writing" in 2006.
February 2009: Publication of "The Lost City of Z"
In February 2009, David Grann's first book, "The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon," was published by Doubleday. It quickly became a New York Times bestseller, debuting at #4 and later reaching #1.
2009: Prestigious Awards for "Trial By Fire"
David Grann received the George Polk Award and the Sigma Delta Chi Award in 2009 for his impactful New Yorker piece "Trial By Fire", which focused on Cameron Todd Willingham.
2009: Unveiling New Evidence in "The Lost City of Z"
In 2009, David Grann's book "The Lost City of Z" was published, recounting the expedition of British explorer Percy Fawcett's disappearance in the Amazon in 1925. Grann's own journey yielded fresh insights into Fawcett's fate and the potential existence of the Lost City of Z.
March 2010: Publication of Essay Collection
An anthology of David Grann's essays, titled "The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession," was published in March 2010.
2010: Libel Suit and National Magazine Award Nomination
In 2010, David Grann's New Yorker article "The Mark of a Masterpiece" sparked controversy, leading to a libel lawsuit by Peter Paul Biro, which was dismissed. The article was nominated for a National Magazine Award.
March 2014: Announcement of New Book Project
In March 2014, David Grann shared that he was working on a book about the Osage Indian murders, a dark chapter in American history.
2017: Residency and Family Life
As of 2017, David Grann resided in New York with his two children.
2017: Publication of "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Published in 2017, David Grann's book "Killers of the Flower Moon: An American Crime and the Birth of the FBI" explored the murders of Osage Indians and the FBI's early development. A finalist for the National Book Award, it climbed to #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
2018: Publication of "The White Darkness"
David Grann published his book "The White Darkness" in October 2018.
April 2023: Release of "The Wager"
David Grann's book "The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder", released in April 2023, debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list and remained on the list for 26 weeks, receiving critical acclaim and chosen by Barack Obama for his summer reading list.