Specifications for The Walter Muir Whitehill
Prize in Early American History
1. Basic Statement
The Walter Muir Whitehill Prize in Early American History will
be awarded annually, at the judges' discretion, for a distinguished
essay in early American history, with preference being given
to New England subjects. The prize award is two thousand five
hundred dollars.
2. Time of Submission
All essays submitted for a particular calendar year must be
postmarked by 31 December.
3. Definition of the term "Early American"
In the past the Colonial Society of Massachusetts has published
works that include material as late as 1820. Therefore, the
Council has voted that the term "early American" should
be extended to 1826, the year in which both John Adams and Thomas
Jefferson died. While the Council stands by this cut-off date,
we hope that essays dealing with nineteenth-century material
will concern themselves with subjects that have their roots
in the past, that look backward rather than forward.
4. Length of Essays
Essays should, as a guideline, range between 30 and 60 double-spaced
typewritten pages.
5. Style and Format of Essays
Authors should follow the
Chicago Manual of Style,
15th edition. Double space text and notes. Contributions will be
read blind, so your name should appear only on a detachable cover sheet.
Include hard copies of illustrations, if any. Submit four copies of the
essay. Email submissions cannot be accepted.
6. Criteria of Judging the Submissions
The essays will be judged according to three basic criteria:
Originality.
We expect the essays to represent an original contribution
to the understanding of early American history. The originality
can be achieved either in the presentation of new materials
or in a fresh interpretation of familiar materials.
Scholarship.
We expect the essays to be scholarly—to demonstrate
competence in the use of original sources and in the interpretation
of them.
Composition. We
expect the essays to be well written—logically organized
and felicitously expressed.
7. Publication
The Society expects to publish the winning essay each year.
We expect the author of the manuscript to be willing to grant
us copyright for the publication.
To submit a manuscript for consideration, please contact:
The Whitehill Prize Committee
c/o The New England Quarterly
Meserve Hall, 2nd Floor
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115
