Wolfson History Prize

The #WolfsonHistoryPrize is the most prestigious history writing prize in the UK.

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

The winner of the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2025 is…

Hannah Durkin for 'Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade' @WmCollinsBooks.

A big congratulations to Hannah!

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

Just one month to go before the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2026 shortlist is announced!

Be sure to follow @WolfsonHistory and turn notifications on to see the announcement as soon as it's out.

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1947 marks one of the defining moments of the twentieth century: the partition of India. For anyone wanting to understand not only what happened in 1947, but also how its legacy continues to shape South Asia today, we recommend 'Shadows at Noon' by Joya Chatterji, winner of the 2024 #WolfsonHistoryPrize.

https://t.co/7tE6EOrfaf

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

WIN! This month, we're giving you the chance to win a copy of 'The Gravity of Feathers: Fame, Fortune and the Story of St Kilda' by Andrew Fleming. 📚

Enter via Wolfson History Prize on Instagram.

Entries close 12/08/2026 10AM BST. UK Only.

https://t.co/kraIaYL5PT

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

https://t.co/5tB5Banuuj

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1917, Battle of Passchendaele began when British and Allied forces launched an offensive in Belgium. In the 2015 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner 'Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary at War, 1914–1918', author Alexander Watson covers the history of the First World War in its entirety.

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1917, Battle of Passchendaele began when British and Allied forces launched an offensive in Belgium. The battle became infamous due to the terrible muddy conditions and massive casualties on both sides.

For more history on the conflicts of WWI, the 2015 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner 'Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary at War, 1914–1918' by Alexander Watson covers the First World War in its entirety.

https://t.co/OxQuPZSWhY

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act passed its second reading in the House of Commons unopposed.

In the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2024 shortlisted book 'Traders in Men: Merchants and the Transformation of the Transatlantic Slave Trade', author Nicholas Radburn directly addresses Britain's role and participation in the transatlantic slave trade.

https://t.co/Ije7WSi2zI

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

We are pleased to introduce the #WolfsonHistoryPrize judging panel for 2026: David Cannadine (Chair), Helen King, Sudhir Hazareesingh, Helen McCarthy and Diarmaid MacCulloch. For detailed biographies of the five judges, please see here:

https://t.co/DrwRMk5tiH

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1535, Sir Thomas More was executed after refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy.

In the 2018 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winning 'Heretics and Believers', author Peter Marshall reframes the overthrow of Catholic culture and the reshaping of the English Church in an engaging new history.

https://t.co/1rL4hlesGY

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

WIN! This month we're giving you the chance to win a copy of 'Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade' by Hannah Durkin. 📚

To enter: head to this post on our Instagram page!

Entries close 10/07/2026 10AM GMT. UK Only.
https://t.co/eUVZHj8qEL

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

We are delighted to announce celebrated author and historian Helen McCarthy as one of the judges for the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize.

Helen McCarthy is an historian of everyday worlds of work, family and politics in modern Britain from the late nineteenth century to the present. She is author of 'Double Lives: A History of Working Motherhood', which was shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize in 2021.

https://t.co/kCuj6hirq3

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1916, the Battle of the Somme began, one of the deadliest battles in human history.

The 1985 #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner 'Lloyd George: From Peace to War, 1912-1916' by John Grigg explores Lloyd George's time as a dynamic war minister during the years of the First World War.

https://t.co/BRUHd9I0Rb

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

We are now on Instagram!

Follow our account for history insights, reading recommendations, and highlights from past winners, as we look ahead to the 2026 shortlist announcement on 17 September.

https://t.co/9lTqSr4o4i

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, invading the Soviet Union during World War II.

The #WolfsonHistoryPrize–winning book 'The Wages of Destruction' by @adam_tooze examines the economic and strategic pressures within the Nazi war economy that helped drive Germany toward its catastrophic invasion of the USSR.

https://t.co/ghQ7vlZNn5

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#DidYouKnow that although Queen Victoria was named Empress of India in 1876, she never travelled there?

The 2019 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist book 'Empress: Queen Victoria and India' by Miles Taylor examines Queen Victoria's relationship with India and the years of her imperial rule.

https://t.co/3NIC5ZuClK

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

#OTD in 1520, Pope Leo X threatened Martin Luther with excommunication in 'Exsurge Domine', a papal bull condemning Luther's teachings.

The 2017 Wolfson shortlist book 'Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet' by Lyndal Roper examines the life and legacy of the founding father of the Protestant Reformation.

https://t.co/GQWhNW5MZ3

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

Thank you to everyone who took part in our poll last month.

If you selected medieval European history, here is a suggested reading list featuring #WolfsonHistoryPrize alumni.

‘Going to Church in Medieval England’ by Nicholas Orme
'Living and Dying in England 1100-1540: The Monastic Experience' by Barbara Harvey
'The World the Plague Made' by James Belich

[Wolfson History Prize @WolfsonHistory]

Thank you to everyone who entered our June giveaway!

Congratulations to the winner - we hope you enjoy reading 'Multicultural Britain: A People’s History' by Kieran Connell!

In the lead‑up to the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize awards season, we’ll be giving away one book each month from the 2025 shortlist. Follow @WolfsonHistory to be the first to hear about upcoming giveaways.