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2001 - The Judges
Announcement
Andrew Marr (Chair) is joined by an impressive
line-up of academic and journalistic talents: historian Niall
Ferguson, scientist Steve Jones,
journalist and author Annalena McAfee, and
Managing Director of the British Museum Suzanna Taverne.
Andrew Marr comments:
“I feel privileged and delighted to be working with
such a broad, talented
team of judges. Between us, we cover a wide range of disciplines
and experience. We will produce a shortlist - and then a
winner - to provoke the kind of sparky, intelligent arguments
literary prizes ought to. Samuel
Johnson, recalling a good evening's conversation was rebuked
by Boswell that he had indeed 'tossed and gore'd several
persons.' We shall do our best to live up to the great man's
memory.”
The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction will be awarded
at a dinner on Tuesday 12 June, with a prize for the winner
of £30,000 and for each of the other shortlisted authors
of £2,500.
The Prize aims to reward the best of non-fiction, from biography
to travel, from popular science to the arts and current affairs. The
first ever prize in 1999 went to Antony Beevor for
his book, Stalingrad, which went on to be
a number one bestseller. Last year’s prize went
to David Cairns for his critically acclaimed
biography of Berlioz.
Unlike other awards, The Samuel Johnson Prize is open to
the authors of all non-fiction books published in the UK,
regardless of nationality. A longlist will be released
in April with the shortlist in late May.
The prize is sponsored by a retired British businessman
and philanthropist, who wishes to remain anonymous.
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