The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee honored Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award. Professor Wiesel, who has written more than forty internationally acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction, was present to receive the award in conjunction with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize ceremonies on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at The Benjamin and Marion Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio.

Professor Wiesel�s 1958 memoir La Nuit (Night) chronicles his experiences in European concentration camps during World War II. Night has been read by millions and is included in school and college curricula globally. Wiesel was chosen because of his role as a literary and political spokesperson on behalf of Jews and other groups who have suffered persecution and death due to their religion, race, or national origin. He has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America Congressional Gold Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and, in 1986, the Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1976, he has been the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, where he also holds the title of University Professor.

�Professor Wiesel�s voice has been heard in the literary community for nearly fifty years; it is an increasingly important one for us to hear today,� said Sharon Rab at the announcement of the committee�s decision. �His tremendous contribution to the world of letters is recognized globally. We are delighted and honored that he will be able to join us to receive this special Lifetime Achievement Award.�