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PRESTIGIOUS LINCOLN PRIZE BESTOWED ON JOHN Y. SIMON FOR PAPERS OF ULYSSES S. GRANT SERIES   John Y. Simon, a professor of history at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, has been honored with a special Lincoln Prize of $20,000 for his achievement in editing 26 volumes to date of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, all of which have been published by Southern Illinois University Press.   Administered by Gettysburg College, the Lincoln Prize is awarded annually by the Lincoln and Soldiers Institute. Up to two prizes a year are given for the finest scholarly works in English on Abraham Lincoln, or the American Civil War soldier, or a subject relating to their era.    “I am most grateful to the judges of the Lincoln Prize of Gettysburg College for this award,” Simon said, noting that the Papers have always relied on the collaboration of skilled editors. Current editorial staff includes Simon, William M. Ferraro, Aaron M. Lisec, and Dawn Vogel. Simon added that Grant’s “correspondence throughout his life reflects a clarity of thought and skill in expression. It has always been a privilege and honor to edit his letters.”   Published in chronological order, the Papers are presented in four series: the Prewar, Civil War and Reconstruction, Presidential, and Post-Presidential periods. The Papers are prepared under the auspices of the Ulysses S. Grant Association and are sponsored by Southern Illinois University, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.   Work continues on chronological coverage of Grant documents for publication in future volumes of the Papers, which incorporate letters received by Grant with his own writings. Grant’s presidential papers illuminate issues of politics, Reconstruction, frontier and military history, race relations, foreign policy, economic development, and nineteenth-century culture.   “The value of these volumes reaches beyond their author, his mail, and message or calendar listings. General Grant is handsomely served by John Y. Simon’s flawless editing and presentation, which includes lengthy explanatory commentaries that simplify the reader’s understanding,” the Illinois Historical Journal has said about the series. “Through every line shines the victor in battle and also the herald who described it.”   Top Lincoln Prize honors this year went to Richard J. Carwardine, Rhodes professor of American History at Oxford University and the first British scholar to win the Lincoln Prize. He will receive the $30,000 first prize for his biography of Lincoln published by Pearson Education Limited.   In addition to the published volumes of the Grant Papers, John Y. Simon has written or edited four books, among which is The Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant, also published by Southern Illinois University Press. More marketing news