Cundill History Prize | |
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Awarded for | History writing |
Country | Canada |
Presented by | McGill University |
First awarded | 2008 |
Website | www |
The Cundill History Prize is an annual Canadian book prize for "the best history writing in English".[1] It was established in 2008 by Peter Cundill and is administered by McGill University.[2][3] The prize encourages "informed public debate through the wider dissemination of history writing to new audiences around the world" and is awarded to an author whose book, published in the past year, demonstrates "historical scholarship, originality, literary quality and broad appeal". No restrictions are set on the topic of the book or the nationality of the author, and English translations are permitted.[1][4]
At a value of US$75,000, the grand prize is the largest prize in the world for a work of non-fiction.[5][6] In addition, two "Recognition of Excellence" prizes of $10,000 each are awarded. For translated works, 80% of the prize goes to the author, and 20% goes to the translator.[4] The winners of the prizes are selected by a jury of prominent historians and writers chosen by McGill.[7] The Cundill Prize has been called "the closest approximation to a Nobel Prize for history".[8]