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.
Best Essay or Research Project
This annual prize was established in honor of esteemed American Baptist historian Robert G. Torbet to encourage development of scholars in the field of Baptist history studies. Submissions from emerging and early-career scholars will be prioritized. No more than one Torbet Prize (Essay or Research) will be awarded in a single year.
The winning submission (essay or research) shall be awarded a $1000 prize.
ESSAY SUBMISSION CRITERIA :
- Submission makes a unique contribution to the field of Baptist history and/or theology;
- Professional and academic writing standards are met, especially regarding attributions and citations;
- Citations, format, and style must follow the most recent edition of the Chicago Manual of Style;
- Maximum length: 25 double-spaced pages (excluding endnotes);
- Submission must be in final draft form, free from errors and ready for publication. (Note: If you wrote the paper for a class, revise it for a more general audience 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 the journal Foundations: A Publication of the American Baptist Historical Society.
RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMISSION CRITERIA :
- Submissions shall provide a research statement (3-4 pages) that delineates:
- the research topic and the purpose of the study;
- the scholarly significance of the research topic as related to Baptist history in contemporary scholarship;
- how the researcher will utilize the resources within the ABHS archival collections. (Research inquiries about ABHS collections should be directed to the ABHS Executive Director or the Archivist, after you have explored the online catalog.)
- The winner of a Torbet Prize for a research project must submit to ABHS copies of all work produced from the research project, including a doctoral dissertation, published or unpublished manuscript(s), articles, or other documents written with the assistance of the Torbet Prize award.
- Award monies are to be used to fund a research visit to ABHS. Research appointments should be scheduled with the ABHS archivist before any travel plans are made.
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
