About the Prize

Established in 1992 and first awarded in 1993, the David Cohen Prize for Literature is one of the UK’s most distinguished literary prizes. It recognises writers who use the English language and are citizens of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, encompassing dramatists, as well as novelists, poets and essayists. The biennial prize, of £40,000, is for a lifetime’s achievement and is donated by the John S Cohen Foundation. Established in 1965 by David Cohen and his family, the trust supports education, the arts, conservation and the environment.

David Cohen, the founder of the Prize, sadly passed away in August 2019. We are proud to continue the David Cohen Prize for Literature in his memory and celebrate the rich heritage of writing from the UK and Ireland in which he found such great joy and fulfilment. Amongst the many tributes paid to David Cohen was this obituary in the Times.