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Ed Lacy

1911 – 1968

American novelist and short story writer

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About Ed Lacy

Lived 1911 – 1968 (aged 56). Ed Lacy was an American novelist and writer.

Ed Lacy (August 25, 1911 - January 7, 1968), born Leonard S. Zinberg, was an American writer of crime and detective fiction. Lacy, who was Jewish American, is credited with creating "the first credible African American PI" character in fiction, Toussaint "Touie" Marcus Moore. Room to Swing, his 1957 novel that introduced Touie Moore, received the 1958 Edgar Award for Best Novel.

Biography Lacy was born in New York City. He died of a heart attack in Harlem in 1968, at the age of 56.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Awards
Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel
Also known as
Leonard "Len" S. Zinberg

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ed Lacy's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ed Lacy?

American novelist and short story writer (1911–1968)

When was Ed Lacy born?

Ed Lacy was born on 25 August 1911 in New York City.

When did Ed Lacy die?

Ed Lacy died on 7 January 1968.

What was Ed Lacy's occupation?

Ed Lacy was a novelist and writer.

What nationality was Ed Lacy?

Ed Lacy was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ed Lacy

· Wikidata: Q471337

· DBpedia: Ed Lacy

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ed Lacy. https://biography.guide/ed-lacy/

MLA: "Ed Lacy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ed-lacy/.

Chicago: "Ed Lacy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ed-lacy/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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