National Biography Award

The National Biography Award, established in Australia in 1996, is awarded for the best published work of biographical or autobiographical writing by an Australian. It aims "to encourage the highest standards of writing biography and autobiography and to promote public interest in those genres".[1] It was initially awarded every two years, but from 2002 it has been awarded annually. Its administration was taken over by the State Library of New South Wales in 1998.

History of the Award

It was originally endowed by private benefactor, Dr. Geoffrey Cains, and the original prize money was $12,500. In 2002, Cains said of endowing the award that "I wanted to give back to literature something, it had given me so much; besides, philanthropy in this country is so overlooked and diminished".[2] In 2005, the prize money was increased to $20,000 with the support of Michael Crouch.[3] Belinda Hutchinson, former President of the Library Council of NSW, expressed gratitude for this increase to "an award that celebrates the Australian psyche through distinguished biography writing."[3]

In 2012 the prize money for the Award has been increased to $25,000. Since 2013, each shortlisted author receives $1,000.[4] The judging panel varies from year to year. In 2018 the Michael Crouch Award was introduced for an Australian writer's first published biography.[5]

The shortlist is announced in early July each year, followed by the winner announcement in early August.

Winners

National Biography Award Lecture

In 2003, the National Biography Award lecture was instituted. It is associated with the award, and was also sponsored by Cains and Crouch. It is given annually, but takes place during the same week as the announcement of the winner.[1]

  • 2018: Unauthorised, by Tom D C Roberts[17]
  • 2017: A tale finds its teller: writing the biography of Thea Astley, by Karen Lamb[18]
  • 2016: For better or worse: The relationship between biographer and subject, by Philip Butterss[19]
  • 2015: Biography and me: notes on the wonders of others (and some on self), by Kim Williams AM[20]
  • 2014: Based on a true story, by Linda Jaivin[21]
  • 2013: A different perspective, a shared story, by John Elder Robison[22]
  • 2012: Looking for Eliza by Evelyn Juers[23]
  • 2011: Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, by Don Watson
  • 2010: Biography: The Art of the Impossible, by Hilary McPhee AO
  • 2009: ‘Truth’ as applied to biography and autobiography, by Raimond Gaita
  • 2008: Biography, Autobiography and Memoir: Presidential Bests and Worsts, by Bob Carr[24]
  • 2007: Biography: The Impossible Art, by Inga Clendinnen [25]
  • 2006: Materials for Life: The Enduring Value of Biography, by Robyn Archer
  • 2005: Personal Drama: David Williamson on Self-depiction, by David Williamson
  • 2004: The Observed of all Observers: Biography in Poetry, by Peter Porter (poet)
  • 2003: Goethe's Two Left Feet: Reflections on the Hazards and Liberties of Biography, by Peter Rose (writer)

References
  1. State Library of New South Wales
  2. Angela Bennie. They're six of the best. Sydney Morning Herald, 1 March 2002
  3. State Library of New South Wales (2005)
  4. "National Biography Award - About the award". Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  5. "National Biography Award" (PDF). SL Magazine. 11 (3): 6. Spring 2018.
  6. "'Tiberius with a Telephone' wins National Biography Award". Books+Publishing. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  7. "'Impassioned letter' from Manus Island wins 2019 National Biography Award". State Library of NSW. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
  8. Convery, Stephanie (2018-08-06). "Judith Brett wins National Biography award for 'profound' look at life of Alfred Deakin". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  9. Romei, Stephen (1 August 2017). "Keith Murdoch biography nets award for Tom DC Roberts". The Australian. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  10. "National Biography Award" (PDF). SL Magazine. 10 (3): 6. Spring 2017.
  11. "'Mannix' wins 2016 National Biography Award | Books+Publishing". Books and Publishing. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  12. "2016 - National Biography Award". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  13. "National Biography Award 2015 Winner". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  14. Begley, Patrick (4 August 2014). "Alison Alexander wins National Biography Award for The Ambitions of Jane Franklin". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  15. Steger, Jason (5 August 2013). "Frank Thring double bill wins biography award". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  16. "Dr Martin Thomas wins 2012 National Biography Award". Australian National University. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  17. "National Biography Award Lecture: 'Unauthorised' with Tom DC Roberts". State Library of NSW. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  18. "ACU author to give the Annual Lecture in Biography". Newsroom (27 July 2017). Australian Catholic University. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  19. "National Biography Award Lecture 2016". State Library of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  20. "Lecture by Kim Williams AM as part of the National Biography Award Lecture Series". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  21. "National Biography Award Lecture 2014". Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  22. "2013 National Biography Award Lecture John Elder Robison - A different perspective, a shared story". Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  23. "National Biography Award Lecture: Looking For Eliza". History Council NSW. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  24. National Biography Award Lecture 2008
  25. Inga Clendinnen on the impossibility of biography
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