Fuller Award for Scott Turow

Scott Turow, the acclaimed author of 15 books, received CLHOF's highest honor for living writers, the Fuller Award. The ceremony took place at the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, and was a signature event in the Chicago Public Library's 150th Anniversary Celebration. A reception at the Plymouth Restaurant & Rooftop Bar followed the ceremony. The event was free and open to the public. 

The Chicago born and bred bestselling author rocketed onto the literary scene with his debut novel, the New York Times #1 Best Seller Presumed Innocent (1986) and has sustained his early, volcanic success these past 37 years, up to and including Suspect (2022). Presumed Innocent is the first in a series of twelve novels set in fictional Kindle County, which bears resemblance to Cook County. In addition he has written two nonfiction books, including One L about his experiences at Harvard Law School. One L remains a "must-read" for law students. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and have been adapted into movies and television projects. He has frequently contributed essays and op-ed pieces to publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic. He also edited the two-volume Guilty As Charged: A Mystery Writers of America Anthology (1996, 1997), which was reissued as a single volume in 2017.  

Turow was born in Chicago in 1949 and attended New Trier High School. He graduated with honors from Amherst College and received an Edith Mirrielees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center. He earned his law degree (J.D.) with honors from Harvard University in 1978. While serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago he prosecuted several high profile cases including as lead counsel in Operation Greylord, the investigation into judicial corruption in Cook County. He continues to practice law, focusing on white collar criminal litigation, and resides in the Chicago area. 

Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra emceed an event that included comments and readings by Aaron Freeman, Cornelia Grumman, Richard Guzman, Jane Hamilton, and Christie Hefner. Elizabeth Taylor led a conversation with Scott after he accepted the award. Partners for the evening included CPL, the Poetry Foundation, the Authors Guild, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc, Dentons, Smith Gambrell Russell, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago Writers Association, Grand Central Publishing, Eli's Cheesecake and the American Writers Museum.