Pulitzer Book Club Inclusion Guide
No Pulitzer Novel Award 1920
INCLUSION MILESTONES
1920
• 19th Amendment ratified; women get right to vote
• Edith Wilson effectively secret female president after Woodrow Wilson's stroke
• Negro Nat'l League opens
AUTHOR INSPIRATIONS
Joseph Pulitzer’s win criteria was novel that represents the “whole atmosphere of American life.”
Columbia’s president changed criteria to novel representing the “wholesome” atmosphere of American life.
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“Java Head” (Joseph Hergesheimer) was considered for the 1920 Pulitzer until there was concern that it was not “wholesome.”
First Pulitzers awarded in 1917.
First Pulitzer Prize for the Novel awarded in 1918.
Joseph Pulitzer immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary when he was 17 years old.
“Dare to be strong and courageous. That is the road. Venture anything. Be brave enough to dare to be loved. Be something more than man or woman.”
― Sherwood Anderson, “Winesburg, Ohio”
Lauding a novel that is about the “wholesome” atmosphere of American life could mean focus on propriety, morality, and/or well-being in the novel and as well as an evaluation of an author’s personal life.
Celebrating a novel that represents the “whole” atmosphere of American life could refer to diversity and inclusion in the novel and/or the author.
Celebrate Joseph Pulitzer with Hungarian fare like paprikash and goulash.
“The power to mold the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations.”
-Joseph Pulitzer
Surround yourself with newspapers, ideally including vintage copies of “The St. Louis Dispatch” and “The New York World” which Pulitzer published.
How strict must/should an organization be about adhering to the will of their donor?
Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library of Butler Library, 6th Floor East, is host to the “Joseph Pulitzer and The World” exhibition.
“Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People” (2018 documentary)
“Winesburg, Ohio” (Sherwood Anderson) was published in 1919.