The Institute co-sponsors four national book prizes annually. Each recognizes the best book of the year in its field. A jury of leading scholars evaluates the entries and presents the top choices to the prize’s board for final selection. The winner is honored at an award ceremony providing an opportunity for the public, including teachers and students, to hear the author speak.
We always welcome submissions of books that bear a copyright date in the current year and which conform to the following criteria:
Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize
The prize is awarded to the finest scholarly work in English on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or the American Civil War era.
George Washington Prize
The prize recognizes the year’s best works on the nation’s founding era, especially those that have the potential to advance broad public understanding of American history.
Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize
The award recognizes the best book on American military history in English distinguished by its scholarship, its contribution to the literature, and its appeal to the broadest possible general reading public.
Frederick Douglass Book Prize
Awarded to an outstanding non-fiction book in English published on the subject of slavery, resistance, and/or abolition. We are interested in all geographical areas and time periods. Please note that works related to the Civil War are acceptable only if their primary focus relates to slavery or emancipation.
Please visit the links to the left for more information on each prize.
To inquire about submitting or suggesting books for consideration, please contact: bookprizes@gilderlehrman.org.