Torbet Prize Open for Submissions

The American Baptist Historical Society invites submissions for the Torbet Prize for the Best Essay in any area of Baptist History.  

The winning essay is eligible for publication in an upcoming issue of the American Baptist Quarterly and its author awarded $500; the Research and Publication Committee of the ABHS Board of Managers serves as judges for the contest.

Robert George Torbet (1912-1995) was an American Baptist historian and educator.  A graduate of Wheaton College, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Pennsylvania, his career in higher education and ecumenical relations (Eastern Seminary, 1944-52; ABBEP, 1952-58; Central Baptist Theological Seminary, 1958-67; ABCUSA, 1967-1977) highlighted the value of church history.

Torbet’s significant contributions to Baptist research and publication led ABHS to establish a prize in his honor to encourage development of young scholars in the field of Baptist history studies.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:

  • ­ Author has not already published a major scholarly work;
  • ­ Citations, format, and style follow the Chicago Manual of Style;
  • ­ Essay is no more than 25 double-spaced pages (excluding notes);
  • ­ Professional and academic writing standards are met, especially re: attributions and citations;
  • ­ Submissions make a unique contribution to the field of Baptist history and/or theology;
  • ­ Submission is in final draft form, free from errors and ready for publication.

Send entries to ABHSoffice@ABHSarchives.org.
The submission deadline for the next award is September 1, 2023.