Wilton Brad Watson (July 24, 1955July 8, 2020) was an American author and academic. He was a professor at the University of Wyoming until his death. Watson published four books, two novels and two collections of short stories. He was born in Meridian, Mississippi. Watson's 2002 novel "The Heaven of Mercury" was a finalist for the National Book Award. In 2013, Watson received the Award in Letters from The American Academy of Arts and Letters.