Kwame Anthony Appiah has won the 2024 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity, the Library of Congress announced in a news release.
Appiah, born in London and educated at Cambridge University, teaches philosophy and law at New York University and writes “The Ethicist” column in the New York Times Magazine.
His books include nonfiction titles such as The Ethics of Identity, The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen, and The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity. He’s also written the novels Avenging Angel, Nobody Likes Letitia, and Another Death in Venice.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement, “Dr. Appiah’s philosophical work is elegant, groundbreaking and highly respected. His writing about race and identity transcends predictable categories and encourages dialogue across traditional divisions. He is an ideal recipient for the 2024 Kluge Prize, and we were thrilled to select him for this award.”
The Library said it will be working on a program called “Thinking Together” that “will showcase Appiah’s work for a public audience.”
The Kluge Prize, given every two years, “recognizes individuals whose outstanding scholarship in the humanities and social sciences has shaped public affairs and civil society.” Previous winners include John Hope Franklin, Drew Gilpin Faust, and George Chauncey.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
