James Shapiro wins Baillie Gifford anniversary prize with ‘extraordinary’ Shakespeare biography 1599

The English professor’s analysis of a pivotal year in the playwright’s life triumphed over a shortlist that included Craig Brown, Barbara Demick and Wade Davis

A book about a pivotal year in William Shakespeare’s life has been named the Baillie Gifford Winner of Winners in a special announcement to mark the 25th anniversary of the prestigious nonfiction prize.

James Shapiro’s 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare originally won the award in 2006, when it was known as the Samuel Johnson prize. He has been honoured again at a ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, and will receive £25,000. The chair of judges, the New Statesman’s editor-in-chief Jason Cowley, said it was a “poised and original reimagination of biography”.