Samuel Johnson Prize
The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction (motto: "All the Best Stories are True") is one of the most prestigious prizes for non-fiction writing. It was founded in 1999 following the demise of the NCR Book Award and based on an anonymous donation. The prize is named after Samuel Johnson. The prize covers current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts. The competition is open to authors of any nationality whose work is published in the UK in English.
From its inception until 2008 the award was fully named The BBC FOUR Samuel Johnson Prize and managed by BBC Four. In 2009 it was renamed as BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction and managed by BBC Two. The new name reflected the BBC’s commitment to broadcasting coverage of the Prize on BBC 2, The Culture Show. Prior to the name change in 2009, the monetary prize amount was GB£30,000 for the winner, and each finalist received £2500. After 2009 the monetary prize was £20,000 for the winner, and each finalist received £1000.
In February 2012, the steering committee for the prize announced that a new sponsor had been found for the prize, an anonymous philanthropist, and that the prize was to be raised to £25,000.
Read more about Samuel Johnson Prize: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Famous quotes containing the words samuel johnson, samuel, johnson and/or prize:
“There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
—Bible: Hebrew, 1 Samuel 3:19.
“I know. That’s what makes us tough. Rich fellows come up and they die. Their kids ain’t no good and they die out. But we keepa comin’. We’re the people that live. They can’t wipe us out. They can’t lick us. We’ll go on forever, Pa, cause we’re the people.”
—Nunnally Johnson (1897–1977)
“Then, though I prize my friends, I cannot afford to talk with them and study their visions, lest I lose my own. It would indeed give me a certain household joy to quit this lofty seeking, this spiritual astronomy, or search of stars, and come down to warm sympathies with you; but then I know well I shall mourn always the vanishing of my mighty gods.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)