Judges hail ‘diversity and vigour’ of £50k Wolfson History Prize shortlist

Six authors showcasing “the diversity and vigour of history writing in the UK” have been shortlisted for the £50,000 Wolfson History Prize 2022, with books spanning topics from witch hunts to the Ottoman Empire.

The prize is awarded by the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity that awards grants in the fields of science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts. This year, to mark the 50th anniversary of the prize, the winner will receive £50,000. Each of the shortlisted authors gets £5,000. 

The shortlist features Marc David Baer for The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars and Caliphs (Basic Books), Malcolm Gaskill for The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World (Allen Lane), Clare Jackson for Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688 (Allen Lane), Nicolas Orme’s Going to Church in Medieval England (Yale University Press), God: An Anatomy by Francesca Stavrakopoulou (Picador) and Alex von Tunzelman for Fallen Idols: Twelve Statues That Made History (Headline). 

Chair of the judges, author and historian David Cannadine, said: “This year’s Wolfson History Prize shortlist once again showcases the diversity and vigour of history writing in the UK. The judges were impressed by the variety, originality and quality of research demonstrated by the six shortlisted books. As well as being engaging reads, they are all highly deserving of a place in the eminent roll call of authors celebrated by the prize over the past 50 years.”  

Paul Ramsbottom, c.e.o of the Wolfson Foundation, added: “Whether or not you agree with their arguments, these six books will inspire and provoke. They offer the opportunity to learn more about what mattered to previous societies and to reflect on the significance of the past to current concerns and debates.  The books shortlisted this year demonstrate that turbulent times are nothing new and show how different societies have dealt with such challenges.” 

This year’s winner will be announced on 22nd June in a ceremony at the Wallace Collection in London. Ahead of the announcement and in partnership with the Reading Agency, creative materials will be made available to libraries across the UK to celebrate the 2022 shortlisted titles, previous winners and shortlisted authors.

Last year the prize was won by Sudhir Hazareesingh for Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture (Allen Lane).