Baillie John

The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, previously known as the Samuel Johnson Prize, is a significant annual British literary award recognizing outstanding non-fiction writing in English. Established in 1999, it succeeded the NCR Book Award, which was discontinued due to controversy. The prize, with its motto 'All the best stories are true,' encompasses a wide range of subjects including current affairs, history, politics, science, and the arts. It is open to authors of any nationality whose works are published in the UK. The judging panel comprises independent judges who change annually.

The award's history includes several name changes and shifts in sponsorship. Initially funded by an anonymous benefactor and named after Samuel Johnson, it was later supported by the BBC, becoming the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize. In 2015, investment management firm Baillie Gifford became the primary sponsor, leading to the current name. The prize money has also fluctuated throughout its history, with significant increases in recent years, reaching £50,000 in 2019. It is widely regarded as the UK's most esteemed non-fiction award.

The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction began in 1999 as the Samuel Johnson Prize, created in the wake of the NCR Book Award's demise. The NCR Award, established in 1987, faced scandal in 1997 concerning its judging process, leading to its cessation. Historian Peter Hennessy proposed a new award, which was initially funded by a private benefactor and named in honor of the 18th-century English writer Samuel Johnson. The prize's early years saw independent financing until 2002, when the BBC took over, rebranding it as the BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize, and later the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction. This period also saw shifts in prize money, with amounts varying for winners and finalists over the years, influenced by various sponsorships and philanthropic support.

In 2015, a significant change occurred when the Edinburgh-based investment management firm Baillie Gifford became the primary sponsor, leading to the prize being renamed the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in 2016. This sponsorship marked a new chapter, with the Blavatnik Family Foundation also providing support for the awards ceremony since 2016. The prize money was restored to £30,000 for the winner in 2016 and increased to £50,000 in 2019, reflecting Baillie Gifford's extended sponsorship commitment. The prize is managed by a not-for-profit company, The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction Limited, with a Board of Directors overseeing its operations. It is widely acknowledged as Britain's most prestigious award for non-fiction authors.

The prize has consistently sought to celebrate the best in non-fiction, covering diverse genres such as history, biography, science, and current affairs. The competition is open to authors globally, provided their work is published in English within the UK. A special 'Winner of Winners' Award was introduced in 2023 to commemorate the prize's 25th anniversary, featuring a distinguished panel of judges. The structure of the judging panel, consisting of independent judges who change each year, ensures a fresh perspective on submissions annually. The prize's journey from its inception, through various name changes and financial structures, highlights its enduring commitment to recognizing literary excellence in non-fiction.