As Chair of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Historical Society, he was also involved in publishing Rough Justice: Policing, Crime, and the origins of the Newfoundland Constabulary, 1729-1871 by Keith Mercer.

The Honourable Edward Roberts History Book Award recognizes an outstanding work of non-fiction that enriches the knowledge of the general public in the history and/or heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Eligibility

• HSA's Book Award Committee select books according to the following criteria:

• Books published between January 1st, 2024, and December 31st, 2025. 

• Books must present well-researched and well-written history of Newfoundland and Labrador.

• The material, writing style, and analysis should be accessible and appealing to a general reading public.


• Books must be in English. Translated books are eligible.


Self-published books are eligible.

• Books that contain other media (e.g., photos, graphics, maps, illustrations) in addition to text as a major focus are eligible. These representations should facilitate and enhance the reader’s engagement with the subject or could be the focus of the historical research. 

Collected or selected works are eligible provided at least 50% of the material is previously unpublished.

• Revised editions will be considered when the following conditions are met:

  • The book has not been previously submitted to the HSA for consideration for the Heritage and History Book Award

  • In the opinion of the HSA Book Award Committee, the book contains new material to the extent that it is not merely a re-issue of a previous publication.


• Current members of the HSA Book Award Committee are not eligible for the Heritage and History Book Award.

• Books sponsored or otherwise financially supported by the HSA are not eligible.

• HSA reserves the right not to present the award in any year.

Assessment Process

There is no formal submission procedure. HSA's Book Award Committee carefully considers potentially eligible works of history as they are published in the designated two-year period, with a short-list selected from these books. Publishers and authors are encouraged to contact the HSA office to ensure that the committee is aware of publications that they think fit the award criteria.  

Assessment of all eligible books will be adjudicated by an independent jury recruited and facilitated by the HSA. The paramount considerations are excellence in historical research and an accessible presentation to a reading public. 



Jurors must disclose any conflict of interest. HSA defines conflict of interest in terms of whether a juror stands to gain any financial benefit through association with a submitted title, or if the juror stands to gain from any moral or intellectual rights, or if the juror has a significant personal relationship with the author of a submitted title. If there is a conflict of interest, the juror will be asked to step aside. 



The independent jury will submit a shortlist of three to five books, and ultimately a winning book from that shortlist to the HSA Board. The decision made by the HSA Board is final. 

The 2026 Honourable Edward Roberts History Book Awards Winner

A detailed and engaging account of the creation and evolution of the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador. Webb outlines a half century of conflicts and compromises as personalities, priorities, and politics - together with competing visions and agendas - lead to the development and modernization of the province’s visual arts scene and gallery. Based upon extensive archival research in previously unexamined collections, and oral interviews with key informants, The Cause of Art is an in-depth documentation of an important aspect of the artistic and cultural history of Newfoundland and Labrador.