Wedekind Prize for German History
The Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities awards the Wedekind Prize for German History for an outstanding academic contribution published within the past ten years, either on medieval or modern German history. Particular consideration is given to significant historiographical achievements – that is, works that aim at synthesis and are devoted to understanding historical change in all its breadth – as well as to outstanding editions, provided they are of significance to historical scholarship. ‘German history’ is understood to mean the history of the entire German-speaking world, including its transnational connections and global entanglements. The prize is endowed with 5,000 euros.
Anton Christian Wedekind (born 14 May 1763 in Visselhövede, died 14 March 1845 in Lüneburg) was a German historian. In 1819, he made a generous donation of 8,000 gold talers to the Royal Society of Sciences in Göttingen. Upon his death, this donation was used to establish a prize fund, which gave rise to the Wedekind Prize.
All members of the Humanities and Social Sciences Class of the Göttingen Academy are entitled to nominate candidates for the prize. Nominations are reviewed by a prize committee consisting of at least four members of the Humanities and Social Sciences Class, elected by simple majority, and headed by the Chair of the Class. Based on the committee’s recommendation, the Humanities and Social Sciences Class decides on the prize recipient. The Wedekind Prize for German History is not publicly advertised.
Recipients
* Since 2009 Wedekind Prize, previously Academy Prize for History (Historians’ Prize) *
2017
Prof Dr Theo Kölzer receives the prize for his publication “Die Urkunden der Karolinger. Die Urkunden Ludwigs des Frommen” [The Charters of the Carolingians. The Charters of Louis the Pious], ed. by Theo Kölzer, 2 volumes and 1 index volume.
2011
PD Dr Svenja Goltermann is awarded for her monograph “Die Gesellschaft der Überlebenden. Deutsche Kriegsheimkehrer und ihre Gewalterfahrungen im Zweiten Weltkrieg” [The Community of Survivors: German Soldiers Returning from World War II and Their Experiences of Violence].
2010
Prof Dr Folker Reichert, for his publication “Gelehrtes Leben. Karl Hampe, das Mittelalter und die Geschichte des Deutschen” [A Scholarly Life. Karl Hampe, the Middle Ages and the History of the Germans].
2009
Prof Dr Horst Walter Blanke, Bielefeld, is selected for his edition and bibliography of Johann Gustav Droysen’s “Historik” [Outlines on the Principles of History].
1994
Dr Hans-Christof Kraus, Munich, receives the prize for his book “Ernst Ludwig von Gerlach – Politisches Denken und Handeln eines preußischen Altkonservativen” [Ernst Ludwig von Gerlach – Political Thought and Action of a Prussian Old Conservative].
1984
Dr Gerhard Streich, Göttingen