The Wolfson History Prize, the UK’s most valuable history writing prize, has today announced the opening of submissions for 2024. The Wolfson Foundation is calling for publishers to submit their catalogues for consideration for the next prize year, with submissions open until 16 January 2024.
Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “We are delighted to open submissions for the 2024 Wolfson History Prize. The best history books bring the past to life and, as each new prize year demonstrates, history writing in the UK remains lively, impressive and important as ever.
The prize looks forward to welcoming submissions which stimulate interest and debate in subjects across the full spectrum of history, and which remind readers of the myriad ways history touches all of our lives.”
Books are judged on the extent to which they are carefully researched, well-written and accessible to the non-specialist reader. The prize, now entering its 52nd year, awards a total of £75,000, with the winner receiving £50,000, and each of the five shortlisted authors receiving £5,000.
To be eligible, books must have been published in English in the UK between 1 January and 31 December 2023. Authors need to have been resident in the UK during the publication year but can be any nationality. Authors who have previously won the Wolfson History Prize cannot be entered again, while previously shortlisted authors are eligible. The submission process is free and catalogues must be received by 16 January 2024.
In 2023, the Wolfson History Prize was won by Halik Kochanski for her book Resistance: The Underground War in Europe, 1939-1945 (Allen Lane). Halik joins a distinguished line up of previous winners including: Mary Beard, William Dalrymple, Antonia Fraser, Antony Beevor, Simon Schama, Sudhir Hazareesingh, Amanda Vickery and Clare Jackson.
A judging panel of eminent historians, chaired by David Cannadine, will choose a shortlist of six books in early autumn 2024, with the winner announced in late autumn. Shortlisted authors can expect widespread media coverage, enhanced social media promotion, and engagement from retailers, libraries, and bloggers.
Across the shortlist and winner stages, authors are spotlighted in local and international media, with previous highlights including: The Times, The Guardian, Evening Standard, BBC Radio 4’s Today and Woman’s Hour programmes, BBC World Service, BBC History Magazine & HistoryExtra, Dan Snow’s History Hit, The Spectator, Times Radio, LBC, and many more. BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking regularly partners with the Wolfson History Prize for a special episode featuring the shortlisted authors.
Publishers can submit their catalogues at: www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/how-to-submit.
For more information on submissions and eligibility, please visit: www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/submissions/
To learn more about the Wolfson History Prize please visit www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/ or connect on Twitter via @WolfsonHistory / #WolfsonHistoryPrize.
For more information on the Wolfson History Prize, please contact emily.laidlaw@midaspr.co.uk
