The award was presented at the Cundill History Prize Festival in Montreal, where jurors recognized Lew‑Williams’ work for its innovative use of data algorithms and narrative storytelling to uncover the impact of anti‑Chinese laws in the American West.
Jury chair Emily Greenwood praised the book, saying it “unravels the paradoxes of anti‑Chinese racial laws… analysing the intentions of these laws, their effects, and how Chinese migrants responded to them.”
The prize celebrates “outstanding history writing” and includes a $75,000 award for the winner. Finalists Jonathan Cheng and Alexander Lee each received $10,000.
Lew‑Williams’ study traces the legal regime from the 1850s to the 1920s, documenting how Chinese migrants were reduced to anonymous stereotypes known as “John Doe Chinaman.”