Richard Wilbur Award
The Richard Wilbur Award is an American poetry award and publishing prize given by University of Evansville in Indiana. It is named in honor of the American poet Richard Wilbur and was established by William Baer, a professor at the University of Evansville. This biennial competition amongst all American poets awards publication of the winning manuscript by the University of Evansville Press and a small monetary prize.
Open to all American poets, except previous Wilbur Award winners, the contest is "amed in honor of the distinguished American poet Richard Wilbur, and welcomes submissions of unpublished, original poetry collections.... Winning manuscripts will reflect the thoughtful humanity and careful metrical craftsmanship of Richard Wilbur's poetry." The 2019 contest is being judged by Ned Balbo. The award has an entry fee of $25 per manuscript, and the prize is $1000 plus publication. After the retirement of Dr. William Baer in 2015, Professor Rob Griffith became of the director of the competition.
The submissions are judged without knowing the identity of the contributors.
NPR journalist Michel Martin called it a "prestigious award". Journalist Julie Gunter in National Catholic Reporter considered the award to be "coveted".
The annual competition is conducted by The University of Evansville, is considered "prestigious", and attracts top shelf poets as judges.
Winners
Source 1998-2007:| Year | Winner | Collection/Work | Ref |
| 1998 | Robert Daseler | Levering Avenue | |
| 1999 | A. E. Stallings | Archaic Smile | |
| 2000 | Len Krisak | Even As We Speak | |
| 2001 | Rhina Espaillat | Rehearsing Absence | |
| 2002 | A. M. Juster | The Secret Language of Women | |
| 2003 | Thomas Carper | Distant Blue | |
| 2004 | Alfred Nicol | Winter Light | |
| 2005 | Chelsea Rathburn | The Shifting Line | |
| 2006 | Richard Wakefield | East of Early Winters | |
| 2007 | David Stephenson | Rhythm and Blues | |
| 2008 | Deborah Warren | Dream with Flowers and Bowl of Fruit | |
| 2009 | Susan McLean | The Best Disguise | |
| 2010 | Marion Shore | Sand Castle | |
| 2011 | Robert W. Crawford | The Empty Chair | |
| 2012 | William Bell | The Picnic in the Rain | |
| 2013 | Paul Lake | The Republic of Virtue | |
| 2014 | Maryann Corbett | Mid Evil | |
| 2015 | Midge Goldberg | Snowman's Code | |
| 2016 | Catherine Chandler | The Frangible Hour | |
| 2017 | Adam Tavel | Catafalque | |
| 2018 | Ned Balbo | 3 Nights of the Perseids | |
| 2019 | Jehanne Dubrow | Simple Machines | |
| 2020 | Aaron Poochigian | American Divine |