W. A. (Walter Augustus) Hawley

Born on January 16, 1863, Walter Augustus Hawley was a Californian businessman, writer, and public figure closely associated with Santa Barbara. He also served as a representative from California's 74th State Assembly district during the 1890–1891 term.

As an author, he is best known for Oriental Rugs, Antique and Modern (1913), a detailed and approachable guide to rug history, design, and craftsmanship. He also wrote Asia Minor (1918), reflecting his interest in travel and the cultures of the eastern Mediterranean.

Hawley later turned his attention to local history in The Early Days of Santa Barbara, California, published in 1920. That work helped preserve stories from the region's Spanish and early American past, showing the same documentary spirit that runs through his other writing. He died on March 18, 1920.