Are you wondering what the Pulitzer Prize is? If you aspire to win this prestigious award someday, you'll want to know all the details.
The Pulitzer Prize is modeled after the vision of Joseph Pulitzer, an exemplary journalist and newspaper publisher. In his will, Pulitzer left a blueprint of his vision of the award. He envisioned Pulitzer Prizes as honors that would serve to inspire excellence in journalism, drama, education and letters. In the category of letters, a Pulitzer Prize was to be awarded to the following: a novel, a play, a history book about American history, a biography and a history of public service work of the press. All the works were to be completed by American citizens. Traveling scholarships were also to be included in the prizes. The current Pulitzer Board awards up to 21 Pulitzers a year honoring these categories and poetry, music and photography.
The first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded in 1917, and although some changes have been made to accommodate modernization, the awards have continued in the spirit intended by Joseph Pulitzer himself. Every April, the president of Columbia University announces the winners of the prizes, which are chosen by the Pulitzer Prize Board. The $2 million Pulitzer initially donated to the cause has been invested and is used to fund the awards.
Every year, the board reviews approximately 2,400 entries. Each year 102 judges divided into 20 juries evaluate all of these entries. Out of these 2,400 entries, only 21 prizes are awarded. The prizes are determined by majority vote, but the board can also decide that none of the works submitted are good enough to warrant an award that year.
Every year Pulitzer Prize winners receive gold medals and cash awards of $10,000 apiece at an understated luncheon on campus at Columbia University. At this time, five Pulitzer scholarships each in the amount of $7,500 are also awarded to worthy graduates. Four of these fellowships are used to further journalism, but one fellowship is awards to a fine arts graduate.
 | There have been many women Pulitzer Prize winners since the prize's 1917 inception. Many of the works honored remain critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences and readers today. |
 | Are you interested in knowing Pulitzer Prize criteria? Thousands vie for one of the 21 prizes that can be awarded each year. Learn what and who can be in the running for this honor. |
The Pulitzer Prize for poetry was not amongst the original categories outlined in Joseph Pulitzer's will. The category was added in 1922 and has been celebrated every year since, honoring some of the most famous poets in recent American history. |
Find articles about the Pulitzer Prize, including what is the Pultizer Prize, women Pulitzer Prize winners and Pulitzer Prize criteria. |
