Literary award · United Kingdom · since 1806

Newdigate Prize

Britisch award, awarded by the University of Oxford for the Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate student (1806-). Established 1806 in United Kingdom.

About Newdigate Prize

Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize, more commonly the Newdigate Prize, is awarded by the University of Oxford for the Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate student. It was founded in 1806 as a memorial to Sir Roger Newdigate (1719–1806). The winning poem is announced at Encaenia. Instructions are published as follows: "The length of the poem is not to exceed 300 lines. The metre is not restricted to heroic couplets, but dramatic form of composition is not allowed."

From the Wikipedia article “Newdigate Prize”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent winners

YearWinnerWinning work
1974Alan Hollinghurst—
1913Roy Ridley—
1878Oscar WildeRavenna
—George Robert Chinnery—
—Edwin Arnold—
—Frederick William Faber—
—John Bowyer Buchanan Nichols—
—John Ruskin—
—Robert Twigger—
—Ravenna—
—Julian Huxley—
—Matthew Arnold—
—John Buchan—
—Rennell Rodd, 1st Baron Rennell—
—Arthur Penrhyn Stanley—

From Wikidata; the list may be incomplete for some years.

Eligibility and entering

Check the official rules of the Newdigate Prize for the current eligibility window, accepted formats, residency or language requirements and any entry fee. For most established prizes the publisher submits on the author's behalf, often with a limit on entries per imprint.

If you are self-published, look for an explicit statement that independently published books are accepted, and budget for entry fees and copies for judges.

Sources & data