Web posted on: Monday, April 12, 1999 12:00:01 PM

(CNN) -- In a tradition dating back to 1917, each April the nation's most prestigious awards, the Pulitzer prizes, are given for distinguished work in the areas of journalism, letters, drama and music.

The prizes were established in the will of Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911), an immigrant turned newspaper magnate. The Hungarian-born Pulitzer came to the U.S. when he was 17 as a substitute draftee in the Civil War, something that was allowed under the draft system of the time.

The ultimate self-made man, Pulitzer worked his way to St. Louis, studied to improve his English and eventually landed a journalism job that would lead to his ownership of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and later the New York World.

Pulitzer was an excellent businessman and a strong journalist who published investigative articles and editorials exposing government corruption.

In his will he outlined the awards system for the Pulitzer Prizes, but also allowed for changes to be made by the overseeing board. Though the awards emphasize journalism, Pulitzer did want literature to be recognized as well.

Six awards are currently given in the areas of letters and drama. They include:

• A work of fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life
• A book on the history of the United States
• A biography or autobiography by an American author
• A volume of original verse by an American author
• A book of non-fiction by an American author
• An original play performed in New York or the regional theaters (this award goes to a playwright, but the production of the play and the script are also taken into account).

The poetry category was created in 1922 and the non-fiction area in 1962.

Many of the past winners in the area of literature have not been best sellers, and many of the winning plays have been off-Broadway.

Under Pulitzer's instructions the board can withhold awards if they feel the entries were not up the standard of excellence. Though they have been highly criticized, the board has at times done just that.