Salman Rushdie will receive a National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement
PUBLISHED Sep 10, 2026, 12:37 PM ET
Author Salman Rushdie will receive the National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement, the National Book Foundation announced. Rushdie, a U.S. citizen for a decade and a native of Mumbai, will be presented the honor by fellow author Kiran Desai on November 18 in Manhattan. The Distinguished Contribution to American Letters medal recognizes his extensive literary impact. Rushdie is only the fourth foreign-born writer to receive the distinction, joining Saul Bellow, Isabel Allende, and Art Spiegelman. At the upcoming ceremony, pediatrician and literacy activist Perri Klass will also receive the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Foundation officials noted that literacy advocate Dolly Parton was offered the honor multiple times before her death at age eighty, but she declined because she felt she did not need the recognition. Rushdie expressed that receiving the lifetime honor deepens his personal connection to American literature.
By Ayesha A. | JQJO News
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National Book Foundation announced Salman Rushdie lifetime achievement medal on November 12. https://apnews.com/article/salman-rushdie-national-book-award-lifetime-achievement-a2b1c3d4e5f6
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Salman Rushdie to receive National Book Award lifetime achievement medal
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