Caughey Western History Prize

The Western History Association announces the Caughey Book Prize given annually for the most distinguished book on the history of the American West, broadly defined. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding scholarly work that advances our understanding of Western American history through rigorous research and compelling narrative. The prize was made possible by the generous support of the John and LaRee Caughey Foundation, which endowed the fund in perpetuity in 2023. The award honors the legacy of John W. Caughey (1902-1995), a pioneering scholar of California and Western history who taught at UCLA for four decades and was known for his commitment to both academic excellence and civil liberties. All submissions must have a 2025 copyright date and are nominated by presses or journals, though authors are encouraged to confirm their work has been received by the committee chair. The WHA office sends notifications to selected award recipients at the end of August each year.