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̽��ֱ��prestigious annual award was established in 1972 and is presented to the authors of two exceptional works each year to promote and encourage standards of excellence in the writing of history for the general public.

Entrants are assessed by a distinguished panel of four judges and previous winners include Moses Finley, Simon Schama, Antonia Fraser and Barry Cunliffe.

To qualify for consideration for the award, the books must be written in a style that is scholarly but accessible to the lay reader. This is reflected in Pompeii, which presents a unique view of life in the Roman town which was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

̽��ֱ��book also challenges myths surrounding the events of the eruption, including the date of the catastrophe and the notion that the entire population of Pompeii was wiped out in a single day.

Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and a Fellow of Newnham College and is the author of numerous books on Ancient History and culture.

She first heard that she had won the award almost three months ago, but was asked to keep it quiet until the official announcement this week. “This has been one of the most difficult secrets I have kept in my life,” she admitted. “You can’t imagine how I’ve wanted to spill the beans. But, terrified at the idea of the prize being removed for bad behaviour, I have kept absolutely quiet.”

Further details about both the Wolfson Prize and Professor Beard’s book can be found by clicking on the links to the right of this page.
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