Acclaimed poet and novelist Maya Angelou to receive honorary book award

NEW YORK - The Associated Press

The National Book Foundation announced Sept. 5 that Angelou, author of 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' will be this year's recipient of the Literarian Award, an honorary National Book Award for contributions to the literary community. AP photo

The literary world is finally honoring Maya Angelou. The poet and author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is this year's recipient of the Literarian Award, an honorary National Book Award for contributions to the literary community, the National Book Foundation announced Sept. 5.

It's the first major literary prize for the 85-year-old Angelou, whose many honors include three Grammys for best spoken word album, a National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Angelou was also one of the principal figures of the civil rights movement in the United States. She has explored themes of economic, racial and sexual oppression in her acclaimed works. 

E.L. Doctorow, a familiar name among prize judges, will receive an honorary medal for "contributions to American letters." He won the National Book Award in 1985 for "World's Fair" and was a finalist three other times. He's best known for the historical novel "Ragtime," which was adapted into a movie and Broadway musical.