Pulitzer Prize

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Lee C. Bollinger awarding the 2003 Pulitzer Prize to Jeffrey Eugenides

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Columbia University, NYC (June 2014) - 01

Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award in the United States, bestowed for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. Established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made his fortune as a newspaper publisher, the Prize is administered by Columbia University in New York City.

History

The Pulitzer Prize was established in 1917, following the death of Joseph Pulitzer in 1911. Pulitzer was a Hungarian-American journalist and newspaper publisher who is best known for his role in the development of the modern newspaper. In his will, Pulitzer specified that a portion of his estate should be used to create a series of prizes for those who excel in journalism, literature, and music. The first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on June 4, 1917.

Categories

Over the years, the Pulitzer Prize categories have evolved to reflect the changing nature of journalism and the arts. As of now, the prizes are divided into two main types: Journalism and Letters, Drama & Music.

Journalism

The Journalism category includes awards for:

• Public Service
• Breaking News Reporting
• Investigative Reporting
• Explanatory Reporting
• Local Reporting
• National Reporting
• International Reporting
• Feature Writing
• Commentary
• Criticism
• Editorial Writing
• Editorial Cartooning
• Breaking News Photography
• Feature Photography

Letters, Drama, and Music

The Letters, Drama, and Music category includes awards for:

• Fiction
• Drama
• History
• Biography or Autobiography
• Poetry
• General Nonfiction
• Music

Selection Process

The selection process for the Pulitzer Prize involves a board of jurors for each category. These jurors, who are experts in their fields, review the submissions and nominate finalists. The Pulitzer Prize Board, which consists of leading journalists, academics, and executives, then selects the winners from the finalists. The process is rigorous and is designed to ensure that the awards are given based on merit.

Significance

The Pulitzer Prize is considered one of the highest honors in journalism and the arts. Winning a Pulitzer is not only a recognition of excellence but also can significantly impact an individual's career. For newspapers and magazines, a Pulitzer Prize can enhance reputation, attract readership, and affirm the quality of its journalism.

Criticism

Despite its prestige, the Pulitzer Prize has faced criticism over the years. Some critics argue that the awards are biased towards certain newspapers or that they have failed to adequately represent the diversity of American journalism and literature. In response, the Pulitzer Prize Board has made efforts to diversify its jurors and broaden its criteria for awards.

Notable Winners

Some notable Pulitzer Prize winners include:

• Ernest Hemingway for Fiction
• Bob Dylan for Music
• Toni Morrison for Fiction
• Carl Sandburg for History and Poetry
• The New York Times and The Washington Post for various Journalism categories

External Links

Note: As per the instructions, external links and references are omitted from this article.

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