British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Roger Lonsdale, FBA, wins MLA Prize
The British Academy congratulates Professor Roger Lonsdale, FBA, for the award of a prize by the US Modern Language Association for his edition of Samuel Johnson’s The Lives of the Poets, published by Oxford University Press.
The MLA's citation for Professor Lonsdale's winning book reads:
Roger Lonsdale’s magnificently managed, beautifully produced four-volume edition of Samuel Johnson’s The Lives of the Poets is the first scholarly edition of this major work in over one hundred years. Lonsdale brings fresh editorial work with manuscripts, a book-length introduction at once scholarly and literate, and a wealth of annotation that draws on the last century of scholarship to illuminate both the poets and Johnson’s essays on them (fifty two chapters of combative, entertaining, literate writing) in the broad context of the century in which The Lives was written, published, and first read. Lonsdale’s vital labors reestablish the durable importance of Johnson’s great work.
Professor Lonsdale was elected a fellow of the British Academy in 1991. He was formerly Professor of English Literature, University of Oxford and Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford.
Robin Jackson, Chief Executive and Secretary of the British Academy, said: "Professor Lonsdale deserves congratulations for the MLA prize, which is recognition of the great achievement represented by his edition of Johnson's Lives".
NOTES TO EDITORS
Published:
05 December 2007
- For media enquiries please contact, Michael Reade, External Relations: m.reade@britac.ac.uk /020 7969 5263.
- The British Academy is the National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Established by Royal Charter in 1902, the British Academy is an independent learned society promoting the humanities and social sciences. It is composed of Fellows elected in recognition of their distinction as scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
- More information about the Academy may be found at: http://www.britac.ac.uk
- The US Modern Language Association is the largest and one of the oldest American learned societies in the humanities (established in 1883) and works to advance literary and linguistic studies worldwide. Further details are available from http://www.mla.org/