Philip Ziegler wins Elizabeth Longford prize
6th June 2011
Philip Ziegler has won the 2011 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography for Edward Heath: The Authorised Biography, his account of the life and career of the former British prime minister.
Ziegler, whose body of work includes biographies of Cecil Rhodes, Diana Cooper and Rupert Hart-Davis, said he was 'delighted' to receive the award, which will be presented during a ceremony on June 14th.
In creating his latest book, Ziegler had access to previously restricted information about the former prime minister, including several personal papers.
The biography was described as 'elegant, compelling and devastating' by The Sunday Times, with the Independent labelling it 'characteristically scrupulous, elegantly composed and impeccably judicious'.
Lady Antonia Fraser, a member of the judging panel and the person responsible for presenting Ziegler with the prize next week, said he made excellent use of the resources available to him and described the book as a 'masterclass in political biography'.