Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards

The Pulitzer Prize jury has the option of awarding special citations and awards where they consider necessary.

Prizes for the award vary. The Pulitzer Prize Board has stated that the Special Citations given to George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington were in response to criticism for the failure of the Board to cite the four.[1]

On May 4, 2020, Ida B. Wells was announced as the recipient of a Pulitzer Special Citation "[f]or her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."[2] The Pulitzer Prize board announced that it would donate at least $50,000 in support of Wells' mission to recipients who would be announced at a later date.[2] No specific category was announced for this citation.

On June 11, 2021, Darnella Frazier was announced as the recipient of a Pulitzer Special Citation.[3]

Journalism awards

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Year Awardee Newspaper Citation Ref(s)
1924
the widow of Frank I. Cobb The New York World "A special prize of $1000 was awarded to the widow of Frank I. Cobb in recognition of the distinction of her husband's editorial writing and service." [4]
1930
William O. Dapping Auburn Citizen (New York) "A special prize for his reportorial work in connection with the outbreak at Auburn prison during December 1929." [5]
1938
 
Edmonton Journal "A special bronze plaque for its editorial leadership against the Accurate News and Information Act, in defense of the freedom of the press, in the Province of Alberta, Canada." [6]
1941
 
The New York Times "for the public educational value of its foreign news report, exemplified by its scope, by excellence of writing and presentation and supplementary background information, illustration, and interpretation" [7]
1944
 
Byron Price Director of the Office of Censorship "for the creation and administration of the newspaper and radio codes." [8]
1945
Cartographers of the American press "for maps of the war fronts that have helped notably to clarify and increase public information on the progress of the Armies and Navies engaged." [9]
1947
 
St. Louis Post-Dispatch "for its unswerving adherence to the public and professional ideals of its founder and its constructive leadership in the field of American journalism." [10]
1951
 
Cyrus L. Sulzberger The New York Times "for his exclusive interview with Archbishop Stepinac." [11]
The Advisory Board on the Pulitzer Prizes as a policy does not make any award to an individual member of the board. In 1951, the board decided that the outstanding instance of National Reporting done in 1950 was the exclusive interview with President Truman obtained by Arthur Krock of The New York Times, while Mr. Krock was a board member. The board therefore made no award in the National Reporting category. [11]
1952 Max Kase New York Journal-American "for his exclusive exposures of bribery and other forms of corruption in the popular American sport of basketball, which exposures tended to restore confidence in the game's integrity." [12]
The Kansas City Star "for the news coverage of the great regional flood of 1951 in Kansas and Northwestern Missouri - a distinguished example of editing and reporting that also gave the advance information that achieved the maximum of public protection." [12]
1953
 
The New York Times "for the section of its Sunday newspaper edited by Lester Markel and headed, "Review of the Week," which for seventeen years has brought enlightenment and intelligent commentary to its readers." [13]
1958
 
Walter Lippmann New York Herald Tribune "for the wisdom, perception and high sense of responsibility with which he has commented for many years on national and international affairs." [14]
1964
 
Gannett Newspapers "A special citation for their program, "The Road to Integration," a distinguished example of the use of a newspaper group's resources to complement the work of its individual newspapers." [15]
1978
Richard Lee Strout The Christian Science Monitor "for distinguished commentary from Washington over many years as staff correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor and contributor to The New Republic." [16]
1996
 
Herb Caen San Francisco Chronicle "for his extraordinary and continuing contribution as a voice and conscience of his city." [17]
2019
The Capital Gazette "A special citation to honor the journalists, staff and editorial board of the Capital Gazette, Annapolis, Maryland, for their courageous response to the largest killing of journalists in U.S. history in their newsroom on June 28, 2018, and for demonstrating unflagging commitment to covering the news and serving their community at a time of unspeakable grief. The citation comes with a $100,000 bequest by the Pulitzer Board to be used to further the newspaper’s journalistic mission." [18]
2021
Darnella Frazier For courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists' quest for truth and justice [19]

Letters awards

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Year Work(s) Awardee Citation Note(s)
1918 Love Songs   Sara Teasdale This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.[20]
1919 Corn Huskers   Carl Sandburg This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.[21]
Old Road to Paradise
Margaret Widdemer This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.[21]
1957 Various historical novels   Kenneth Roberts "A special citation is awarded to Kenneth Roberts for his historical novels which have long contributed to the creation of greater interest in our early American history." [22]
1960 The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
Garrett Mattingly "A special citation is awarded to The Defeat of the Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly, published by Houghton, Mifflin. It is a first-class history and a literary work of high order." [23]
1961 American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War "A special citation is given to The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War as a distinguished example of American book publishing." [24]
1973 George Washington, Vols. I-IV James Thomas Flexner "A special citation to George Washington, Vols. I-IV, by James Thomas Flexner." [25]
1977 Roots   Alex Haley "A special award to Alex Haley for Roots, the story of a black family from its origins in Africa through seven generations to the present day in America." [26]
1978 All works   E.B. White "A special citation to E. B. White for his letters, essays, and the full body of his work." [16]
1984 All works   Theodor Seuss Geisel "A special citation to Theodor Seuss Geisel, more widely known as Dr. Seuss, for his special contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents." [27]
1992 Maus   Art Spiegelman "For Maus" [28]
2006 All works
Edmund S. Morgan "A Special Citation to Edmund S. Morgan for a creative and deeply influential body of work as an American historian that spans the last half-century." [29]
2007 All works   Ray Bradbury for his "distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy" [30]

Music awards

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Year Work(s) Awardee(s) Citation Ref(s)
1944 Oklahoma!   Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II "A special award for Oklahoma!" [31]
1974 All works Roger Sessions "A special citation to Roger Sessions for his life's work as a distinguished American composer." [32]
1976 All works   Scott Joplin "A special award is bestowed posthumously on Scott Joplin, in this Bicentennial Year, for his contributions to American music." [33]
1982 All works Milton Babbitt "A special citation to Milton Babbitt for his life's work as a distinguished and seminal American composer" [34]
1985 All works William Schuman A special citation to William Schuman for more than half a century of contribution to American music as composer and educational leader. [35]
1998 All works   George Gershwin "Awarded posthumously to George Gershwin, commemorating the centennial year of his birth, for his distinguished and enduring contributions to American music." [36]
1999 All works   Duke Ellington "Bestowed posthumously on Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, commemorating the centennial year of his birth, in recognition of his musical genius, which evoked aesthetically the principles of democracy through the medium of jazz and thus made an indelible contribution to art and culture." [37]
2006 All works   Thelonious Monk for his "body of distinguished and innovative musical composition that has had a significant and enduring impact on the evolution of jazz." [38]
2007 All works   John Coltrane for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and iconic centrality to the history of jazz." [39]
2008 All works   Bob Dylan "for his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power." [40]
2010 All works   Hank Williams "for his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life." [41]
2019 All works   Aretha Franklin "For her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades." [42]

Pulitzer Prize service awards

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Awardee Citation Ref(s)
1944   William Allen White "A scroll indicating appreciation of Mr. White's interest and services during the past seven years as a member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University." [43]
1947 Columbia University and the Graduate School of Journalism "Columbia University and the Graduate School of Journalism, for their efforts to maintain and advance the high standards governing the Pulitzer Prize awards." [44]
1948
Frank D. Fackenthal "A scroll indicating appreciation of his interest and service during the past years." [45]
1976
John Hohenberg "A special citation and an antique plaque inscribed by all the members of the Advisory Board, expressing appreciation for his services for 22 years as Administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes and for his achievements as teacher and journalist" [46]
1987
 
Joseph Pulitzer, Jr. "for his extraordinary services to American journalism and letters during his 31 years as chairman of the Pulitzer Prize Board and for his accomplishments as an editor and publisher." [47]

References

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  1. ^ "History of the Pulitzer Prizes". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Announcement of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners". Pulitzer.org. May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed George Floyd's death, get honorary Pulitzer Prize
  4. ^ "1924 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1924.
  5. ^ "1930 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1930.
  6. ^ "1938 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1938.
  7. ^ "1941 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1941.
  8. ^ "1944 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1944.
  9. ^ "1945 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1945.
  10. ^ "1947 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1947.
  11. ^ a b "1951 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1951.
  12. ^ a b "1952 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1952.
  13. ^ "1953 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1953.
  14. ^ "1958 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1958.
  15. ^ "1964 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1964.
  16. ^ a b "1978 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1978.
  17. ^ "Herb Caen". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  18. ^ "Announcement of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winners". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  19. ^ Katori Hall, Darnella Fraizer Among 2021 Pulitzer Winners - Variety
  20. ^ "1918 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1918.
  21. ^ a b "1919 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1919.
  22. ^ "1957 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1957.
  23. ^ "1960 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1960.
  24. ^ "1961 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1961.
  25. ^ "1973 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1973.
  26. ^ "1977 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1977.
  27. ^ "1984 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1984.
  28. ^ "1992 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 1992.
  29. ^ "2006 Pulitzer Prize Winners". New York City: Pulitzer Prize Board. 2006.
  30. ^ "Ray Bradbury". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  31. ^ "Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  32. ^ "Roger Sessions". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "Scott Joplin". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  34. ^ "Milton Babbitt". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  35. ^ "William Schuman". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  36. ^ "George Gershwin". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  37. ^ "Duke Ellington". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  38. ^ "Thelonious Monk". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  39. ^ "John Coltrane". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  40. ^ "Bob Dylan". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  41. ^ "Hank Williams". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  42. ^ "Announcement of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winners". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  43. ^ "William Allen White". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  44. ^ "Columbia University". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  45. ^ "Frank D. Fackenthal". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  46. ^ "John Hohenberg". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  47. ^ "Joseph Pulitzer Jr". The Pulitzer Prizes. Retrieved March 3, 2018.