THE PULITZER PRIZE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 108, 2 November 1940, Page 17

THE PULITZER PRIZE

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." the controversial book about the migratory workers of California is announced by the trusteees of Columbia University as the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for the most-distin-guished novel published during 1939 by an American; author. Although presumably Judged solely on the basis of its literary value, because of the sociological and political significance which the book has attained since its publication a year ago. the selection was expected to be attacked from some quarters as a tacit approval of its disclosures by the advisory committee that recommended it and the trustees who approved the recommendation.

According to the "New York Times." however, in announcing the award President Nicholas Murray Butler did not say whether the selection was a unanimous one.

"The Grapes of Wrath" was one of five recipients of Pulitzer Prizes in the field of letters, the others being for the best biography of the year, the best book of poetry, the best history, and the best -t>lay. They were:—

Play—William Saroyan's "Time of Your Life."

Biography.—Ray Stannard Baker's "Woodrow Wilson: Life and Letters," Vols. VII and VIII.

History.—Carl Sandburg's "Abraham Lincoln, the War Years."

Poetry.—Mark Van Doren's "Collected Poems."