David Grann is one of the most celebrated nonfiction writers and investigative journalists of his generation.
A staff writer at The New Yorker since 2003, Grann has captivated global audiences through his meticulously researched, gripping narratives about historical mysteries, true crime, and extraordinary human adventures.
A four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 25 languages and adapted into major Hollywood films, Grann stands at the forefront of long-form narrative journalism in the 21st century.
His signature style blends the depth of academic research with the pace and suspense of the finest thriller fiction, making his work as compelling on screen as it is on the page.
Profile
| Full Name | David Elliot Grann |
| Born | March 10, 1967 |
| Age | 59 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Journalist, Author, Staff Writer at The New Yorker |
| Parents | Victor Grann (father, oncologist); Phyllis E. Grann (mother, former CEO of Putnam Penguin) |
| Siblings | Edward Grann, Alison Grann |
| Spouse | Kyra Darnton (married 2000) |
| Children | Two children |
| Net Worth | $5 million – $7 million |
Early Life
David Elliot Grann was born on March 10, 1967, in New York City, and raised in Westport, Connecticut. He grew up in a household steeped in intellectual and literary culture. His mother, Phyllis E. Grann, was a pioneering figure in the American publishing world, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Putnam Penguin and was the first woman to lead a major publishing company in the United States. His father, Victor Grann, was a distinguished physician and oncologist who served as Director of the Bennett Cancer Center in Stamford, Connecticut.
Growing up in this environment of intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, and a deep respect for literature, David naturally developed a love of reading and storytelling from a very early age. He has two siblings, Edward and Alison. His upbringing in Connecticut gave him both the cultural exposure of proximity to New York City and the quieter contemplative environment that would later support his intensely focused research and writing process.
Education
David Grann enrolled at Connecticut College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government in 1989. During his time at Connecticut College, he was awarded the prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, which funded independent research in Mexico. This fellowship proved to be a formative experience, it marked the beginning of his career as a reporter and gave him his first taste of deep immersive fieldwork in an unfamiliar environment.
After his Watson Fellowship, Grann pursued graduate studies at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, earning a Master’s degree in International Relations in 1993. He then returned to Boston University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing in 1994, completing a dual academic foundation that combined international affairs expertise with deep literary craft. He also taught courses in creative writing and fiction at Boston University during this period.
Career
David Grann’s journalism career began in earnest in 1994 when he was hired as a copy editor at The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper focused on the United States Congress. He quickly distinguished himself and was named the paper’s executive editor in 1995, a remarkable advancement for a journalist still in the early stages of his career. In 1996, he moved to The New Republic as a senior editor, where he developed his abilities in political commentary and long-form journalism.
The defining chapter of Grann’s career began in 2003 when he joined The New Yorker as a staff writer. At The New Yorker, he found the ideal platform for the kind of deeply reported, beautifully crafted narrative nonfiction that would make his name. Over the following two decades, he produced a remarkable body of long-form journalism covering subjects as diverse as the search for a lost Amazon explorer, the systematic murder of the Osage Nation by oil speculators, the mystery of a legendary shipwreck, and countless criminal investigations and historical mysteries.
His articles have been collected in multiple prestigious anthologies including The Best American Crime Writing (2004 and 2005), The Best American Sports Writing (2003 and 2006), and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. This recognition from the American literary establishment confirmed his status as one of the foremost nonfiction storytellers of his era.
Grann’s book career has been defined by extraordinary success. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon (2009), his debut, debuted on The New York Times bestseller list in its first week and went on to become a critically acclaimed film directed by James Gray and starring Charlie Hunnam and Robert Pattinson. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (2017) became perhaps his most celebrated work, a devastating account of the systematic murder of the Osage Nation members in 1920s Oklahoma, adapted by director Martin Scorsese into a major Oscar-nominated film (2023) starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder (2023) returned him to the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list, receiving universal praise for its extraordinary tension and meticulous historical research. His books have collectively been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide.
Awards & Nominations
- George Polk Award for Magazine Reporting
- Edgar Award (Mystery Writers of America)
- National Magazine Award
- Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
- Multiple #1 New York Times Bestseller listings
- Killers of the Flower Moon film adaptation nominated for multiple Academy Awards, 2024
Social Media
David Grann maintains a relatively modest social media presence befitting his reputation as a serious literary journalist. He is active on Twitter/X and other platforms where he shares updates about his books, journalism, and occasional commentary. His primary public voice remains his long-form writing rather than social media engagement.
Personal Life
David Grann married Kyra Darnton in 2000. Kyra Darnton is a television producer and is the daughter of the distinguished journalist John Darnton. Together they have two children and reside in New York City. Grann is known for his intensely dedicated research process, which often involves years of archival work, extensive travel, and immersive field reporting in remote or dangerous locations, including the Amazon rainforest, the Arctic wilderness, and rural Oklahoma. His commitment to storytelling is matched by his commitment to accuracy and intellectual rigor.
Net Worth
As of 2026, David Grann’s estimated net worth is between $5 million and $7 million. His wealth is derived from book advances and royalties from his multiple international bestsellers, his salary and fees as a New Yorker staff writer, film adaptation royalties (particularly from the Killers of the Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z film deals), speaking engagements, and his journalism anthology contributions. His books’ translation into 25+ languages significantly amplifies his royalty income stream.
Books (Bibliography)
- The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon (2009) – adapted into film (2016)
- The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession (2010) – essay collection
- Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (2017) – adapted into film by Martin Scorsese (2023)
- The White Darkness (2019) – illustrated novella
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder (2023)
FAQs
Who is David Grann?
David Grann is an American journalist and bestselling nonfiction author, best known for Killers of the Flower Moon and The Lost City of Z.
What is David Grann’s most famous book?
Killers of the Flower Moon is widely considered his most celebrated work and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film by Martin Scorsese.
Who is David Grann’s wife?
He is married to Kyra Darnton, a television producer and daughter of journalist John Darnton.
What is David Grann’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is between $5 million and $7 million.
Conclusion
David Grann occupies a singular position in contemporary American letters. In an era of shrinking attention spans and superficial content, he has built a career on the conviction that the most extraordinary stories are true ones, buried in historical archives, unexplored rivers, and forgotten graves. His books do not merely inform, they transport readers into worlds they never knew existed and leave them permanently changed.
As one of the defining voices of narrative nonfiction in the 21st century, David Grann’s legacy is already secured, and his future work remains among the most anticipated in American publishing.