Pegasus Prize

The Pegasus Prize for Literature is a literary prize established by Mobil (now ExxonMobil) in 1977 to honor works from countries whose literature is rarely translated into English.[1] The prize includes a monetary award, a medal depicting Pegasus, and translation into English and subsequent publication of the work by Louisiana State University Press.[2] As at 2024 the Louisiana State University Press lists the Pegasus Prize as an inactive series.[3]

The country is first recommended by a committee and then an independent selection committee in the chosen nation determines the winner.[4] Representatives to the country selection committee have included Mona Simpson, Alan Cheuse, and William Jay Smith.[citation needed] In 1984 Mobil focussed on New Zealand alongside its sponsorship of the Te Maori exhibition in New York.[5] The selection panel came from outside the "literary establishment" and included both Māori and non-Māori (pākehā): Sidney Mead, Peter Sharples, Anne Salmond, Terry Sturm, Elizabeth Murchie and Wiremu Parker.[5]

  1. ^ Craig D'Ooge (8 March 1994). "News from the Library of Congress". Library of Congress. Retrieved 15 July 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Louisiana State University Press. "Pegasus Prize". Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  3. ^ "By Series". LSU Press. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  4. ^ "Publisher's Note", p. vii in Year of the Frog by Martin Simecka (LSU Press, 1993).
  5. ^ a b "Maori writers will be read internationally". Tu Tangata (16): 20. 1 March 1984.