National Medal for Literature

The National Medal for Literature was a literary award recognizing an individual for distinguished and continuing contributions to American letters. First presented to Thornton Wilder by Lady Bird Johnson at a White House ceremony in 1965,[1] the award consisted of a cash prize of $15,000 and a bronze medal.[2]

The National Medal for Literature was established by the National Book Committee, a nonprofit society; other sponsors included the National Institute of Arts and Letters (1975–77), and the New York Public Library (1978, 1984).[3] The National Medal for Literature was typically presented as part of the National Book Awards, renamed the American Book Awards during the 1980s.[4]

The medal was not presented for 1974–75, nor 1982–83.[3] After a brief hiatus, the prize was effectively replaced in 1988 with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, awarded by the National Book Foundation.

  1. ^ McDowell, Edwin. "American Book Awards are given for 22 works" New York Times May 1, 1981.
  2. ^ "Mary McCarthy Wins Medal for Literature" New York Times April 10, 1984.
  3. ^ a b National Medal for Literature in The Oxford Companion to American Literature
  4. ^ Fehrman, Craig. "Guilty Parties" New York Times Book Review October 30, 2011.