Lowell Thomas Award

Lowell Thomas Award
source
Name	Lowell Thomas Award
Presenter	Society of American Travel Writers and Explorers Club
Country	United States
First awarded	1980

Lowell Thomas Award is a prestigious award presented by the Society of American Travel Writers and the Explorers Club to recognize outstanding travel journalists and explorers, such as Jacques Cousteau, Thor Heyerdahl, and Roald Amundsen. The award is named after the renowned American journalist and explorer Lowell Thomas, who was known for his coverage of T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt during World War I. The award aims to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of travel journalism, exploration, and conservation, including notable figures like Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Ernest Hemingway. The award has been presented to numerous notable recipients, including Werner Herzog, David Attenborough, and Jane Goodall, who have all made significant contributions to the fields of anthropology, zoology, and ecology.

● Introduction

The Lowell Thomas Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the field of travel journalism and exploration, with past recipients including Ted Turner, Jimmy Carter, and Queen Noor of Jordan. The award is presented annually by the Society of American Travel Writers and the Explorers Club, which are both dedicated to promoting excellence in travel journalism and exploration, as exemplified by the work of National Geographic, BBC Travel, and The New York Times. The award is named after Lowell Thomas, who was a renowned American journalist and explorer, known for his coverage of World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, as well as his expeditions to Tibet, China, and Africa. The award has been presented to numerous notable recipients, including Peter Matthiessen, Paul Theroux, and Bill Bryson, who have all made significant contributions to the field of travel writing, as recognized by the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Whitbread Book Award.

● History

The Lowell Thomas Award was first presented in 1980 by the Society of American Travel Writers and the Explorers Club, with the first recipient being Thor Heyerdahl, a Norwegian explorer and anthropologist, who was known for his Kon-Tiki expedition and his research on Easter Island and the Galapagos Islands. Since then, the award has been presented annually to recognize outstanding travel journalists and explorers, including Jacques Cousteau, who was a French oceanographer and conservationist, known for his work on Calypso and his documentaries on marine biology and oceanography. The award has also been presented to notable recipients such as Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer, who was the first person to reach the South Pole, and Charles Lindbergh, an American aviator, who was the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Other notable recipients include Ernest Hemingway, an American author and journalist, who was known for his coverage of the Spanish Civil War and World War II, and Werner Herzog, a German filmmaker, who is known for his documentaries on anthropology and ecology, such as Fitzcarraldo and Grizzly Man.

● Eligibility_and_Selection

The Lowell Thomas Award is open to travel journalists and explorers from around the world, including BBC, CNN, and National Geographic correspondents, as well as independent journalists and explorers, such as Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior. The selection process is rigorous, with a panel of judges reviewing nominations from the Society of American Travel Writers and the Explorers Club, as well as from other organizations, such as the National Press Club and the Overseas Press Club. The judges consider a range of criteria, including the nominee's body of work, their contributions to the field of travel journalism and exploration, and their impact on the public's understanding of the world, as recognized by awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Award, and Emmy Award. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their field, as well as a commitment to promoting cultural understanding and conservation, as exemplified by the work of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas.

● Notable_Recipients

The Lowell Thomas Award has been presented to numerous notable recipients, including David Attenborough, a British naturalist and broadcaster, who is known for his documentaries on zoology and ecology, such as Life on Earth and Planet Earth. Other notable recipients include Ted Turner, an American media mogul, who is known for his work on CNN and TBS, and Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who is known for his work on human rights and conservation. The award has also been presented to notable explorers, such as Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer, who was the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, and Beryl Markham, a British-Kenyan aviator, who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Other notable recipients include Peter Matthiessen, an American author and journalist, who was known for his coverage of the Vietnam War and his research on zoology and ecology, and Paul Theroux, an American author and journalist, who is known for his travel writing and his research on anthropology and sociology.

● Categories_and_Criteria

The Lowell Thomas Award is presented in several categories, including travel journalism, exploration, and conservation, as recognized by organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their field, as well as a commitment to promoting cultural understanding and conservation, as exemplified by the work of National Geographic, BBC Travel, and The New York Times. The judges consider a range of criteria, including the nominee's body of work, their contributions to the field of travel journalism and exploration, and their impact on the public's understanding of the world, as recognized by awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Award, and Emmy Award. The award is also presented to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting cultural understanding and conservation, as recognized by organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Tourism Organization.

● Ceremony_and_Presentation

The Lowell Thomas Award is presented annually at a ceremony hosted by the Society of American Travel Writers and the Explorers Club, with past ceremonies held at locations such as the New York Public Library, the National Geographic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. The ceremony is attended by notable figures from the fields of travel journalism and exploration, including Nicholas Kristof, Sarah Kendzior, and Glenn Greenwald. The award is presented to the recipient by a distinguished guest, such as Queen Noor of Jordan or Ted Turner, and is accompanied by a cash prize and a trophy, as recognized by organizations such as the Pulitzer Prize Board and the National Book Foundation. The ceremony is also an opportunity for the recipient to give a speech and to reflect on their contributions to the field of travel journalism and exploration, as recognized by awards such as the Peabody Award and the Emmy Award.

Category:Awards