Joseph Mitchell was a celebrated American writer best known for his long tenure at The New Yorker magazine. He specialized in crafting detailed, non-fiction profiles of unconventional and often overlooked people in and around New York City. His most famous collections, including "McSorley's Wonderful Saloon" and "Up in the Old Hotel," are considered masterpieces of literary journalism. After publishing "Joe Gould's Secret" in 1964, Mitchell famously entered a decades-long period of writer's block, publishing no new work until his death but remaining a revered figure at the magazine.