This annual prize was established in honor of Robert G. Torbet to encourage development of young scholars in the field of Baptist history studies, thus the work of emerging scholars will be especially considered.
Robert George Torbet (1912-1995) was an American Baptist historian and educator, born in Spokane, WA and later a graduate of Wheaton College, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Pennsylvania. He taught church history at Eastern Seminary (1944-1952), served as director of educational services for the American Baptist Board of Education and Publication (1952-1958), as dean and church history professor at Central Baptist Theological Seminary (1958-1967), and as Associate General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations of the American Baptist Churches, USA (1967-1977). His significant contributions to Baptist research and publication led the American Baptist Historical Society 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;
- Submissions make a unique contribution to the field of Baptist history and/or theology;
- Professional and academic writing standards are met, especially re: attributions and citations;
- Citations, format, and style must follow the Chicago Manual of Style;
- Maximum length: 25 double-spaced pages (excluding notes);
- Submission must be in final draft form, free from errors and ready for publication. (e.g. If you wrote the paper for a class, revise it for a more general audience than your professor and remove professor’s name, course number, and anything else that marks it as a classroom assignment.)
The winning essay is eligible for publication in Foundations and its author awarded a $500 prize.
Deadline for Entries is September 1
Send entry, contact information, and a brief bio including a list of prior publications to:
Sponsored by the American Baptist Historical Society
Founded in 1853, the American Baptist Historical Society cares for the largest and most diverse collection of Baptist materials in the world and publishes the oldest Baptist historical journal, and Foundations. Researchers come from around the globe to research the contributions Baptists have made to church and society.
Winner is selected by the Research and Publication Committee of the ABHS Board of Managers
