Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize, more commonly the Newdigate Prize, is awarded to students of the University of Oxford for the Best Composition in English verse by an undergraduate student.[1] It was founded in 1806 as a memorial to Sir Roger Newdigate (1719–1806).[2] The winning poem is announced at Encaenia.[3] Instructions are published as follows: "The length of the poem is not to exceed 300 lines.[3] The metre is not restricted to heroic couplets, but dramatic form of composition is not allowed." It is one of the many prizes awarded by this university to students and graduate students.[4]
The first winner was John Wilson ("Christopher North"). Notable winners have included Robert Stephen Hawker, John Ruskin, Matthew Arnold, Laurence Binyon, Oscar Wilde, John Buchan, John Addington Symonds, James Laver, Donald Hall, James Fenton, P. M. Hubbard, and Alan Hollinghurst.
The parallel award given at the University of Cambridge is the Chancellor's Gold Medal.
Where known, the title of the winning poem is given, followed by the name of the author. Each year links to its corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:
Notes
The prize is open to current matriculated undergraduate students of the university.
Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize for English Verse was founded in 1806 as a memorial to Sir Roger, fifth baronet (1719–1806) and Oxford university politician.
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In 2016 the Sir Roger Newdigate Prize was awarded to Mary Anne Clark for her entry 'Sinai'.
In 2018 the Sir Roger Newdigate Prize was not awarded.
In 2019 the Sir Roger Newdigate Prize was not awarded.
In 2021 the Sir Roger Newdigate Prize was awarded to Annabelle Fuller for her entry 'Koinobionts'.
Sources