Any editor is eligible. The editor must be nominated by the new editor or by a member of the current or past editorial board. Supporting documentation may include any of the following: other letters of nomination by colleagues familiar with the editor's work; a brief CV in narrative format highlighting aspects of the editorship; selected sample issues of the journal illustrating key qualities of the editor's work; any other materials that can demonstrate the editor's influence on the journal's field of scholarship.

• 2022: Tina Chen, Verge: Studies in Global Asias
• 2021: Jean Lee Cole, American Periodicals
• 2020: Zong-qi Cai, editor of Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture; Prism: Theory and Modern Chinese Literature; the Lingnan Journal of Chinese Studies
• 2019: Chon A. Noriega, editor of Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies
• 2018: Susan Green, Huntington Library Quarterly
• 2017: Laura Stevens, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature
• 2016: David Scott, Small Axe: A Caribbean Journal of Criticism
• 2015: John Bryant, Leviathan
• 2013: Nicholas L. Sturgeon, Philosophical Review
• 2012: Robert L. Patten, SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900
• 2011: John Serio, Wallace Stevens Journal
• 2010: Peter Holquist and Michael David-Fox, Kritika
• 2009: Ralph Cohen, New Literary History
• 2008: Ronald Bayor, Journal of American Ethnic History
• 2007: George D. Greenia, La Corónica and Holly Laird, Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature; Honorable Mention: Rick Emmerson, Speculum
• 2006: Carolyn Dinshaw and David Halperin, GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies; Runner-Up: Donald G. Davis, Libraries & Culture; Honorable Mention: Marianne Hirsch, PMLA
• 2005: Joe Weixlmann, African American Review; Runner-up: Raquel Chang-Rodriguez, Colonial Latin American Review
• 2004: Eva-Marie Kröller, Canadian Literature
• 2002: Walter Cummins, Literary Review: An International Journal of Contemporary Writing
• 2000: Joseph T. Skerrett, Jr., MELUS
• 1999: Cathy N. Davidson, American Literature
• 1998: Henry W. Johnstone, Philosophy and Rhetoric
• 1997: Joseph M. Schwartz, Renascence
• 1996: Robert C. Post, Technology and Culture
• 1995: Valters Nollendorfs, Monatshefte; Runner up: John Peradotto, Arethusa
• 1994: Donald Lawler, Victorians Institute Journal; Runner-up: Joanne Dobson, Legacy
• 1993: Gary A. Olson, Journal of Advanced Composition; Runner-up: Richard J. Calhoun, South Carolina Review
• 1992: John W. Kronik, PMLA; Honorable mentions: Frank Lentricchia, SAQ; Charles Oliver, The Hemingway Review
• 1991: James Wilbur, Journal for Value Inquiry; Honorable Mention: Jim Raymond, College English
• 1990: John Stasny, Victorian Poetry
• 1989: Andrew Parkin
• 1988: Claude Rawson, Modern Language Review and The Yearbook of English Studies
• 1987: Philip Mitchell, Journal of English and Germanic Philology
• 1986: Jill Levenson, Modern Drama
• 1985: Lewis Simpson, Southern Review
• 1984: Donald Stanford, Southern Review
• 1983: Joel Conarroe, PMLA
• 1982: Blake Nevius, Nineteenth Century Fiction
• 1981: Helmut Gerber, English Literature in Transition (posthumous)