Great history, brilliantly told.
Awarded by the Wolfson Foundation annually for over fifty years, the Wolfson History Prize is the UK’s most prestigious history prize. It recognises and celebrates books which combine the highest quality of research with readability.
Key dates for 2026
Shortlist announced
17 September 2026
Winner announced
1 December 2026
2025 Winner
Survivors:
The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Hannah Durkin
‘Survivors:
The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade’
Hannah Durkin
Keep up to date with the prize
In just one week, we'll reveal the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2026 Shortlist. ⏰
For the very best history writing, where credibility meets readability, follow us here.
Which history books would make your shortlist this year?
On 17 September, we reveal the six books shortlisted for the #WolfsonHistoryPrize 2026 - chosen from more than 140 titles published in 2025. Follow us at @WolfsonHistory to be amongst the first to find out. ⏰
WIN! This month, we're giving you the chance to win a copy of 2025 #WolfsonHistoryPrize shortlist 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective' by @LearNonsense. 📚
Enter via Wolfson History Prize on Instagram.
Entries close 09/09/2026 10AM BST. UK Only.
Six books. One shortlist. A lot of history.
On 17 September, we reveal the six books shortlisted for the 2026 #WolfsonHistoryPrize. Our judges have spent months reading their way through more than 140 books to narrow it down to six outstanding works of history. These books
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.
#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
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://bit.ly/4vErZYh
#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
#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
