Beth Lew-Williams wins Cundill History Prize for book on anti-Chinese discrimination Princeton professor Beth Lew-Williams has won the US$75,000 Cundill History Prize for her book on Chinese life under American racial law. The award was announced at a ceremony in Montreal. Princeton professor Beth Lew-Williams has won the Cundill History Prize for her book John Doe Chinaman: A Forgotten History of Chinese Life under American Racial Law. Beth Lew-Williams Wins Cundill History PrizeShe received the US$75,000 award during a ceremony in Montreal on Friday. The prize is run by McGill University and recognizes history writing in English. Award organizers announced the win in a press release, calling the book a major contribution to the field. The book explores the laws that constrained the lives of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century American West.Cundill jurors praised the work as dazzlingly innovative and hard-hitting. They said the book restores individuality and humanity to lives once obscured by prejudice. It examines court records, immigration files and personal accounts to show the extent of anti-Chinese discrimination. According to award organizers, the book restores individuality and humanity to lives once obscured by prejudice.The runners-up for the prize each receive US$10,000. They are Jonathan Cheng for Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult and Alexander Lee for The First Ghetto: Venice and the Jews. The Cundill History Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards for history writing in English. It is administered by McGill University and has been awarded annually to authors who make significant contributions to historical scholarship.Princeton Professor Focuses on Chinese Immigrant HistoryLew-Williams is a professor at Princeton University. Her research focuses on the history of race and migration in the United States, particularly the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the American West. The book draws on a wide range of archival sources to document how racial laws shaped everyday life for Chinese immigrants. It highlights both the legal structures of discrimination and the personal stories of those affected.The award ceremony took place in Montreal on Friday. The prize amount of US$75,000 is among the largest for history writing, reflecting the award's international standing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct 23, 2026. Kaitlyn McGrath, The Canadian Press.