“The writer’s duty is to keep on writing.”
William Styron
The Libraries seek to establish the William Styron Writing Prize Fund, which would enable an annual monetary award that would recognize Styron’s contributions to American letters, while also encouraging budding writers at Duke University. William Styron was a novelist and essayist of renown, and a Duke University graduate, Class of 1947. We are honored that Styron chose to place his papers in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library here at Duke, where they continue to offer a rich resource for exhibitions, class sessions, and the scholarly exploration of the writer’s process and influence. He considered Duke Libraries his “sanctuary” when he was a student here.
Over time, we hope the William Styron Writing Prize Fund will grow to $300,000 or more and become a restricted endowment. At that level, in addition to awarding the Styron Writing Prize to one Duke undergraduate each year, it might be possible to host a Styron writer-in-residence.
Make a gift or pledge of any amount to help create this lasting recognition of a brilliant man and encourage the next generation of creative writers at Duke. Contact Blue Dean, Associate University Librarian for Development, for more information.
