Profiles of Literary Award Judges

Maya Angelou was the first African American woman to serve as a Pulitzer Prize judge, in 1975.

Edmund Wilson was known for his sharp wit and critical insights, which he displayed in his work as a literary award judge.

Junot Díaz was the youngest person to ever serve as a National Book Award judge, at the age of 28.

Adrienne Rich was known for her championing of women writers, both as a literary award judge and in her own writing.

N. Scott Momaday was the first Native American to serve as a Pulitzer Prize judge, in 1979.

John Simon was known for his controversial and often negative reviews, which he wrote as a literary award judge and in his own column.

Amy Tan was the first Asian American to serve as a National Book Award judge, in 1990.

William Gass was known for his support of experimental and avant-garde literature, both as a literary award judge and in his own writing.

Oscar Hijuelos was the first Hispanic American to serve as a Pulitzer Prize judge, in 1990.

Toni Morrison was known for her advocacy for social justice and human rights, both as a literary award judge and in her own writing.

Edmund White was the first openly gay man to serve as a National Book Award judge, in 1982.

Vladimir Nabokov was known for his love of language and his attention to detail, which he displayed both as a literary award judge and in his own writing.

James Baldwin was the first African American man to serve as a Pulitzer Prize judge, in 1963.

Granta is known for its championing of young writers, both as a literary award judge and in its own pages.

Zona Gale was the first woman to serve as a Pulitzer Prize judge, in 1920.