Biography of poet John Donne wins UK nonfiction book prize

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — A book that argues Elizabethan poet John Donne should rank alongside William Shakespeare as a literary genius has won Britain’s leading nonfiction book award. British writer Katherine Rundell’s biography “Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne” was named winner of the 50,000 pound ($59,000) Baillie Gifford Prize at a ceremony in London. Journalist Caroline Sanderson, who chaired the judging panel, said winner was a unanimous choice by the six judges from among 362 books submitted for the prize. She called it “a masterpiece of passion and persuasion,” that “sends you off on a journey of discovery.” The prize recognizes English-language books from any country in current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts.