Nicholas Harris wins The Orwell Society 2021 Young Journalist’s Award

Nicholas Harris is the winner of this year’s Young Journalist’s Award from The Orwell Society worth up to £3000. He is currently studying for an MA in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London.

He said:

‘I am a great admirer of Orwell’s writing, for the established reasons of his understated but carefully weighted prose style and his ‘power of facing’ uncomfortable truths. But like many readers, I also find myself linking his work to the time I live in. His ability to find the flawed human being behind the artist in ‘Charles Dickens’ and ‘Some Notes on Salvador Dali’ have proven very influential on me, especially in a time when society does not make such an effort to understand or forgive such flaws.’

There was a strong field of applicants this year, but the judges singled out Nicholas’s submission as it demonstrated an excellent knowledge of Orwell’s importance, appeal and continuing relevance – including reference to his journalism. His research statement had the additional virtue of being aligned to the article: an expressed admiration for Orwell’s concern with the “flawed human being behind the artist” led to an examination of, and clear standpoint on, topical debates regarding the works, reputation and legacy of Philip Roth.

The judges were: Richard Blair, son of George Orwell and Patron of The Orwell Society, Dr Jaron Murphy, lecturer (Academic) in Communication & Journalism at Bournemouth University, Benedict Cooper, journalist and OS Press Officer and Ann Kronbergs, Education Trustee of The Orwell Society. All entries were anonymised for assessment.

Ann Kronbergs

Education Trustee

The Orwell Society