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About the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry is one of the seven American Pulitzer Prizes awarded annually for Letters, Drama, and Music. Established in 1922, it recognizes a distinguished volume of original verse by an American author.

The award carries a $15,000 prize and is administered by Columbia University. It is widely considered the most prestigious American poetry award and significantly boosts a poet's career and book sales.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Author must be an American citizen
  • Book must be published in the United States during the calendar year
  • Must be a volume of original verse
  • Self-published books are generally not eligible
  • Books must be submitted by publishers

Recent Pulitzer Prize for Poetry Winners

YearTitleAuthor
2024No Land to Light OnYesenia Montilla
2023Then the War: And Selected PoemsCarl Phillips
2022frank: sonnetsDiane Seuss
2021Postcolonial Love PoemNatalie Diaz
2020The TraditionJericho Brown
2019Be WithForrest Gander
2018Half-light: Collected PoemsFrank Bidart
2017OlioTyehimba Jess

Quick Facts

Prize Amount$15,000
FrequencyAnnual
First Awarded1922
GenrePoetry
CountryUSA
Administered ByColumbia University