Richard Flanagan Wins Baillie Gifford Prize

Richard Flanagan has won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction for his memoir Question 7, but he has chosen to delay accepting the £50,000 prize until the sponsor, Baillie Gifford, provides a plan to divest from fossil fuels. Flanagan, who is the first author to win both the Booker Prize and the Baillie Gifford Prize, emphasized the ethical implications of accepting money linked to fossil fuel investments, stating it would be untrue to the spirit of his book if he did not address the environmental impact. The investment firm has faced backlash for its fossil fuel ties, leading to the termination of sponsorships with several literary festivals following pressure from climate activists. Baillie Gifford has defended its position, asserting that it balances the responsibilities of managing substantial investments with cultural sponsorships. Flanagan's stance has sparked a broader discussion about corporate sponsorship in the arts and its implications for funding. The literary community remains divided over the impact of activism on arts funding and sponsorship.