The Wolfson History Prizes are literary awards given annually in the United Kingdom to promote and encourage standards of excellence in the writing of history for the general public. Prizes are given annually for two or three exceptional works published during the year, with an occasional oeuvre prize (a general award for an individual's distinguished contribution to the writing of history). They are awarded and administered by the Wolfson Foundation, with winning books being chosen by a panel of judges composed of eminent historians. In order to qualify for consideration, a book must be published in the United Kingdom and the author must be a British subject at the time the award is made and normally resident in the UK. Books should be readable and scholarly and be accessible to the lay reader. Prizes are awarded in the summer following the year of the books' publication; however, until 1987 prizes were awarded at the end of the competition year. Established in 1972 by the Wolfson Foundation, a UK charitable foundation, they were originally known as the Wolfson Literary Awards. Honourees 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Awards after 2016 have a winner and shortlist of five. 2020s List of winners of the Oeuvre Prize 2005 – Christopher Bayly 2002 – Roy Jenkins 2000 – Asa Briggs 1997 – Eric Hobsbawm 1982 – Steven Runciman 1981 – Owen Chadwick 1978 – Howard Colvin See also List of history awards Alan Ball Local History Awards The Whitfield Prize Wolfson family Notes References External links Wolfson History Prize website 1972 establishments in the United Kingdom Awards established in 1972 British literary awards History awards