His interest in the British empire was stimulated by a schoolmaster's setting for a Latin essay prize a subject involving imperial federation.

In 1838 he obtained a Latin essay prize.

The latter won Holland's most distinguished essay prize.

Both his parents had died in India at the time when he won the essay prize at his preparatory school.

Peterhouse runs annually three essay prizes for History, Science and English.

The society also awards research grants to graduate students and maintains an essay prize for undergraduates and sixth-form pupils.

To date the fund has awarded one fully paid scholarship and a number of part-paid scholarships as well as essay prizes annually.

In the intermediate class,he won an essay prize open to a class of 80 students.

He had been a judge for an essay prize.

In 2007, he was awarded the Keats-Shelley Association of America's essay prize.