1956 National Book Awards Ceremony
The 1956 National Book Awards ceremony sees awards given to W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden for poetry for his "The Shield of Achilles"; to Herbert Kubly's for Non-Fiction for "American in Italy"; and John O'Hara's for fiction for "Ten North Frederick".
John F. Kennedy Jr., Senator from Massachusetts, and author of the recent "Profiles in Courage" also speaks, linking the work of men of intellect with the work of statesmen.
An unnamed speaker begins the ceremony discussing the validity of awards for written works, which she sees as rather subjective. She discusses what may ensure the validity of written works and the value of creative powers. She quotes a work from nominee (and soon winner) W.H. Auden, "Epitaph for the Unknown Soldier."
She introduces the men and women on the platform. She thanks the juries who have chosen the winners of the book awards.
She begins the awards with poetry. The finalists are Cleanthe Brooks, Robert Lowell, Phyllis McGinley (who is present at the ceremony), Muriel Rukeyser (also present), Richmond Lattimore, and W. H. Auden. She highlights winner Auden's poetic accomplishments.
W.H. Auden takes the stage to accept his award for The Shield of Achilles. Auden is gratified and surprised by his award. He cites an essay by Chesterson regarding publishers. He talks of a common wish for authors to be born earlier, in antiquity, before publishers, when poets "acted" a sacred role. it is the sacred, the numinous, that drives the poet to write, not politics or psychology. The sacred chooses what is poetry, not the other way around. He regards the rhythmic aspect of poetry as a hindrance to its appreciation in modern society, though he stops before elaborating this point.
The unnamed speaker announces the non-fiction award. She introduces the jury: Curtis Bok, Harrison Brown, N. R. Howard, Richard Rovere, and Leon Pearson. Herbert Kubly wins for American in Italy. She discusses Kubly's work.
Kubly is awed by his presence on the platform. He thanks the Italians "who moved through its pages." He meant to illuminate the Anti-American myth with his work. His discusses the costs of this bias. He calls it a myth based on half-truths. He notes Russia's success in appealing world wide by putting forth the idea that they represent the humble and poor. Economic differences are a source of the myth. He feels we should give more and better aid. He quotes an Italian from his book, who speaks from the myth - he pretends to hate Americans, but in reality they worship them, though it is easier to be communist. He talks about his travels in Italy, meeting Italians who discusses the myths they understand Americans with.
The unnamed speaker announces the winner of the fiction award. She names the committee: Granville Hicks, Marc Surer, J. Saunders Redding, Carlos Baker, and John Brooks (who is present).
John O'Hara wins the award. The unnamed speaker describes his work, Ten North Frederick and gives him the dais.
It is his first prize. He is pleased with the prize because it comes from the makers of books. He talks about the authors limits, as they can only write so many works at a time. He has to tell the truth and make it readable. Two his works have become reference works. To him history and fiction are linked. He gets choked up accepting the award.
The unnamed speaker introduces the keynote speaker, John F. Kennedy. She discusses his short but impressive resume, to which he recently added Profiles in Courage and gives him the stage.
Kennedy jokes about letter authors pick the winners, telling a joke in which each member of the senate cast a vote for themselves - a 96 way tie. He tells us authors are perhaps more humble. He is speaking today as a politician. He talks about politicians fears of writers. Writers tend to speak of politicians with disdain in their works. He pleads for the similarity between authors and politicians - he speaks of the two way influence between the groups.
Kennedy recites "Poem to a Young Girl" by Sam Houston. He discusses the links between authors and politicians and bemoans the loss of that link over time. He talks about the fear that politicians have of writers. Both politicians and intellectuals trade in liberty Kennedy tells us. He outlines further things in common for statesmen and writers. He mixes literary and historical examples to show these links, and peppers his entire speech with literary tropes throughout.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150222
Municipal archives id: LT7121
