Less than a fortnight shy of his 100th birthday, former United States President Jimmy Carter is set to be honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation. The foundation, known for its rule requiring the recipient to accept the award in person, has made an exception for Carter. The Ohio-based organization revealed Carter as the winner of the Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award, an accolade named after the late diplomat. Carter was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his advocacy work in human rights and his role in brokering significant agreements such as the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.
Having recently turned 100 on October 1, Jimmy Carter currently resides in hospice care in Plains, Georgia. In recognition of his extensive peace initiatives and his authorship of over 30 books, the foundation is acknowledging his significant contributions to “the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” The award ceremony will take place in November, with Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, stepping in to accept the award on his behalf.
Nicholas A. Raines, the executive director of the Dayton foundation, highlighted that their tradition required awardees to be physically present in Dayton, OH, for the award ceremony and an on-stage interview. However, this year, they have decided to waive this criterion and grant the award to President Carter in his absence. Jason Carter expressed his pride in his grandfather’s lifelong dedication to both literature and peacemaking, remarking on the significance of the foundation choosing to applaud Carter’s unwavering commitment to these causes through the award.
In addition to honoring Jimmy Carter, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation also announced the winners in the various categories. Paul Lynch’s novel, “Prophet Song,” secured the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Fiction, while Victor Luckerson’s “Built from the Fire” clinched the award for nonfiction. Both Lynch and Luckerson are to receive $10,000 each for their remarkable literary works. Runner-up in the fiction category, Anne Berest for “The Postcard,” as well as nonfiction finalist Tania Branigan for “Red Memory,” will each be awarded $5,000 for their respective contributions to the literary world.
