Pulitzer (surname)

The surname Pulitzer is most famously associated with Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911), a Hungarian-American newspaper publisher and politician. He is best known for establishing the Pulitzer Prizes, awarded annually for achievements in American journalism, literature, music composition, and drama.

The origin of the name Pulitzer is generally considered to be from the Czech or German speaking areas of Central Europe. Its etymology is uncertain, but possibilities include derivations from place names or occupational descriptions.

While Joseph Pulitzer is the most well-known individual bearing the surname, other members of the Pulitzer family have also contributed to journalism, business, and philanthropy. The family's legacy remains strongly connected with excellence in journalism and the arts through the continuing administration of the Pulitzer Prizes by Columbia University.