The Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award given in the United States of America for the artist’s commendable works in journalism, literature, music, newspapers, and magazines. The prize was first established in 1917 by the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer. The administration of the Pulitzer Prize is in the hands of Columbia University; the prize is awarded under 21 different categories. The Pulitzer Prize is held annually in April, and for the chance to participate and get shortlisted for the award, you have to pay the entry fee of seventy-five dollars.

The History of Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize was the dream of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer; before his death, he drafted a will which specified that all of his money would go to Columbia University to open a Journalism school and award a prize in his name to the top-tier journalists and other artists. Hence the name of the award came to be the Pulitzer Prize. At first, Joseph decided that the award be given- four in journalism, four for letters and drama, four scholarships for traveling, and one award for education. After Joseph Pulitzer’s death, the first-ever Pulitzer prize was given on June 4, 1917.

Pulitzer Prize Winners

The Pulitzer Prize winners of 2021 belong to 21 different categories. The board, operated by Columbia University, chooses one winner from the three nominations for each category. Pulitzer Prize winners are each given a certificate and prize money of fifteen thousand dollars. Only one category, Public Service, is given a gold medal and the prize.

Various Categories of the Pulitzer Prize

There are two main categories under which The Pulitzer Prize is awarded: Journalism and Letters, Music and Drama. Under these main categories lie the sub-categories, which make up all the 21 categories for which you can get The Pulitzer. Under Journalism are fourteen sub-categories, they are as follows- Public service, Breaking news reporting, Investigative reporting, Explanatory Reporting, Local reporting, National reporting, International reporting, Feature writing, Commentary, Criticism of Race and Culture in the USA, Editorial Writing, Breaking news photography and lastly Audio only reporting for the National Radio. Under the second category, which has fiction writing and non-fiction writing, are letters, Drama and Music. The subcategories under Letter, Drama, and Music are seven: Drama, Music, History, Poetry, General non-fiction, Biography, and Fiction.

First Indian to Win The Pulitzer Prize

The first Indian to win the Pulitzer Prize is an Indian American journalist, Gobind Behari Lal. He was awarded in 1937 for science coverage at the 300th anniversary of Harvard University. Gobind Behari Lal was an independent activist and member of the Ghadar Party.

Some Notable Winners of The Pulitzer Prize

The first-ever Pulitzer was given for only four categories in 1917. For the contribution to History, the Pulitzer was given to Jean Jules Jusserand for his book With Americans of Past and Present Days. For Journalism, New York Tribune won the Pulitzer in Editorial Writing, and From New York, World Herbert Swope won for reporting. A Pulitzer was given for a biography written by Maud Howe Elliot and Laura Richards on the life of Julia Ward Howe.