The Vergilian Society is pleased to announce the opening of the next competition for the Alexander G. McKay Prize for the best book in Vergilian studies. The prize, which is accompanied by a cash award of $500 or a life membership in the Vergilian Society (valued at $750), will be awarded every other year to the book that, in the opinion of the prize evaluation committee, makes the greatest contribution toward our understanding and appreciation of Vergil or topics related to Vergil. Works of literary criticism, biography, bibliography, textual criticism, reference, history, archaeology, and the classical tradition are all eligible, provided that Vergilian studies represent a significant portion of the discussion. The current competition will cover books published during the years 2014 and 2015. The winner will be announced at the Vergilian Society session at the annual meeting of the Society for Classical Studies in January, 2017. The authors of books being considered for the McKay Prize must be members of the Vergilian Society at the time their books are submitted.

A copy of each book to be considered must be sent to both members of the prize evaluation committee by April 30, 2016.  Questions about the competition should be directed to Richard Thomas, President, The Vergilian Society, rthomas@fas.harvard.edu.