Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards

Template:Short description Template:Pulitzer The Pulitzer Prize jury has the option of awarding special citations and awards where they consider necessary.

Prizes for the award vary. The Pulitzer Prize Board has stated that the Special Citations given to George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington were in response to criticism for the failure of the Board to cite the four.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On May 4, 2020, Ida B. Wells was announced as the recipient of a Pulitzer Special Citation "[f]or her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."<ref name="pulitzer">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Pulitzer Prize board announced that it would donate at least $50,000 in support of Wells' mission to recipients who would be announced at a later date.<ref name="pulitzer"/> No specific category was announced for this citation.

On June 11, 2021, Darnella Frazier was announced as the recipient of a Pulitzer Special Citation.<ref>Darnella Frazier, the teen who filmed George Floyd's death, get honorary Pulitzer Prize</ref>

Journalism awards

Year	Awardee		Newspaper	Citation	Ref(s)
1924	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	the widow of Frank I. Cobb	The New York World	"A special prize of $1000 was awarded to the widow of Frank I. Cobb in recognition of the distinction of her husband's editorial writing and service."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1930	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	William O. Dapping	Auburn Citizen (New York)	"A special prize for his reportorial work in connection with the outbreak at Auburn prison during December 1929."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1938		Edmonton Journal		"A special bronze plaque for its editorial leadership against the Accurate News and Information Act, in defense of the freedom of the press, in the Province of Alberta, Canada."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1941		The New York Times		"for the public educational value of its foreign news report, exemplified by its scope, by excellence of writing and presentation and supplementary background information, illustration, and interpretation"	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1944		Byron Price	Director of the Office of Censorship	"for the creation and administration of the newspaper and radio codes."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1945	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Cartographers of the American press		"for maps of the war fronts that have helped notably to clarify and increase public information on the progress of the Armies and Navies engaged."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1947		St. Louis Post-Dispatch		"for its unswerving adherence to the public and professional ideals of its founder and its constructive leadership in the field of American journalism."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1951		Cyrus L. Sulzberger	The New York Times	"for his exclusive interview with Archbishop Stepinac."	<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
	The Advisory Board on the Pulitzer Prizes as a policy does not make any award to an individual member of the board. In 1951, the board decided that the outstanding instance of National Reporting done in 1950 was the exclusive interview with President Truman obtained by Arthur Krock of The New York Times, while Mr. Krock was a board member. The board therefore made no award in the National Reporting category.				<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
1952		Max Kase	New York Journal-American	"for his exclusive exposures of bribery and other forms of corruption in the popular American sport of basketball, which exposures tended to restore confidence in the game's integrity."	<ref name="ReferenceB">Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	The Kansas City Star		"for the news coverage of the great regional flood of 1951 in Kansas and Northwestern Missouri - a distinguished example of editing and reporting that also gave the advance information that achieved the maximum of public protection."	<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
1953		The New York Times		"for the section of its Sunday newspaper edited by Lester Markel and headed, "Review of the Week," which for seventeen years has brought enlightenment and intelligent commentary to its readers."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1958		Walter Lippmann	New York Herald Tribune	"for the wisdom, perception and high sense of responsibility with which he has commented for many years on national and international affairs."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1964		Gannett Newspapers		"A special citation for their program, "The Road to Integration," a distinguished example of the use of a newspaper group's resources to complement the work of its individual newspapers."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1978	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Richard Lee Strout	The Christian Science Monitor	"for distinguished commentary from Washington over many years as staff correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor and contributor to The New Republic."	<ref name="ReferenceC">Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1996		Herb Caen	San Francisco Chronicle	"for his extraordinary and continuing contribution as a voice and conscience of his city."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2019	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	The Capital Gazette		"A special citation to honor the journalists, staff and editorial board of the Capital Gazette, Annapolis, Maryland, for their courageous response to the largest killing of journalists in U.S. history in their newsroom on June 28, 2018, and for demonstrating unflagging commitment to covering the news and serving their community at a time of unspeakable grief. The citation comes with a $100,000 bequest by the Pulitzer Board to be used to further the newspaper’s journalistic mission."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2021	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Darnella Frazier		For courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists' quest for truth and justice	<ref>Katori Hall, Darnella Fraizer Among 2021 Pulitzer Winners - Variety</ref>
2025	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Chuck Stone		A special citation is awarded to the late Chuck Stone for his groundbreaking work as a journalist covering the Civil Rights Movement, his pioneering role as the first Black columnist at the Philadelphia Daily News—later syndicated to nearly 100 publications—and for co-founding the National Association of Black Journalists 50 years ago.

Letters awards

Year	Work(s)	Awardee		Citation	Note(s)
1918	Love Songs	File:Sara Teasdale. Photograph by Gerhard Sisters, ca. 1910 Missouri History Museum Photograph and Print Collection. Portraits n21492.jpg	Sara Teasdale	This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1919	Corn Huskers	File:Carl Sandburg NYWTS.jpg	Carl Sandburg	This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.<ref name="ReferenceD">Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
	Old Road to Paradise	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Margaret Widdemer	This award was made possible by a special grant from The Poetry Society.<ref name="ReferenceD"/>
1957	Various historical novels	File:Kenneth Roberts author.png	Kenneth Roberts	"A special citation is awarded to Kenneth Roberts for his historical novels which have long contributed to the creation of greater interest in our early American history."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1960	The Defeat of the Spanish Armada	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Garrett Mattingly	"A special citation is awarded to The Defeat of the Spanish Armada by Garrett Mattingly, published by Houghton, Mifflin. It is a first-class history and a literary work of high order."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1961	American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War	–		"A special citation is given to The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War as a distinguished example of American book publishing."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1973	George Washington, Vols. I-IV		James Thomas Flexner	"A special citation to George Washington, Vols. I-IV, by James Thomas Flexner."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1977	Roots	File:Alex haley US coast guard.png	Alex Haley	"A special award to Alex Haley for Roots, the story of a black family from its origins in Africa through seven generations to the present day in America."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1978	All works	File:EB White and his dog Minnie.png	E.B. White	"A special citation to E. B. White for his letters, essays, and the full body of his work."	<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
1984	All works	File:Ted Geisel NYWTS 2 sepia.jpg	Theodor Seuss Geisel	"A special citation to Theodor Seuss Geisel, more widely known as Dr. Seuss, for his special contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
1992	Maus	File:Art Spiegelman (2007).jpg	Art Spiegelman	"For Maus"	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
2006	All works	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Edmund S. Morgan	"A Special Citation to Edmund S. Morgan for a creative and deeply influential body of work as an American historian that spans the last half-century."	<ref>Template:PulitzerPrize by year</ref>
2007	All works	File:Ray Bradbury (1975) -cropped-.jpg	Ray Bradbury	for his "distinguished, prolific and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy"	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Music awards

Year	Work(s)	Awardee(s)		Citation	Ref(s)
1944	Oklahoma!	File:Rodgers and Hammerstein and Berlin and Tamiris NYWTS.jpg	Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II	"A special award for Oklahoma!"	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1974	All works		Roger Sessions	"A special citation to Roger Sessions for his life's work as a distinguished American composer."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1976	All works	File:Scott Joplin 19072.jpg	Scott Joplin	"A special award is bestowed posthumously on Scott Joplin, in this Bicentennial Year, for his contributions to American music."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982	All works		Milton Babbitt	"A special citation to Milton Babbitt for his life's work as a distinguished and seminal American composer"	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1985	All works		William Schuman	A special citation to William Schuman for more than half a century of contribution to American music as composer and educational leader.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1998	All works	File:George Gershwin 1937.jpg	George Gershwin	"Awarded posthumously to George Gershwin, commemorating the centennial year of his birth, for his distinguished and enduring contributions to American music."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999	All works	File:Duke Ellington - publicity.JPG	Duke Ellington	"Bestowed posthumously on Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, commemorating the centennial year of his birth, in recognition of his musical genius, which evoked aesthetically the principles of democracy through the medium of jazz and thus made an indelible contribution to art and culture."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2006	All works	File:Thelonious Monk, Minton's Playhouse, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947 (William P. Gottlieb 06191).jpg	Thelonious Monk	for his "body of distinguished and innovative musical composition that has had a significant and enduring impact on the evolution of jazz."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2007	All works	File:John Coltrane 1963.jpg	John Coltrane	for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and iconic centrality to the history of jazz."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2008	All works	File:Bob Dylan - Azkena Rock Festival 2010 2.jpg	Bob Dylan	"for his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2010	All works	File:Hank Williams Promotional Photo.jpg	Hank Williams	"for his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2019	All works	File:Aretha Franklin 1968.jpg	Aretha Franklin	"For her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Pulitzer Prize service awards

	Awardee		Citation	Ref(s)
1944	File:WP William Allen White.jpg	William Allen White	"A scroll indicating appreciation of Mr. White's interest and services during the past seven years as a member of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1947		Columbia University and the Graduate School of Journalism	"Columbia University and the Graduate School of Journalism, for their efforts to maintain and advance the high standards governing the Pulitzer Prize awards."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1948	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Frank D. Fackenthal	"A scroll indicating appreciation of his interest and service during the past years."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1976	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	John Hohenberg	"A special citation and an antique plaque inscribed by all the members of the Advisory Board, expressing appreciation for his services for 22 years as Administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes and for his achievements as teacher and journalist"	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1987	File:Joseph Pulitzer Jr. 1961 (KN-C19647, cropped).jpg	Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.	"for his extraordinary services to American journalism and letters during his 31 years as chairman of the Pulitzer Prize Board and for his accomplishments as an editor and publisher."	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>