Awards and Accolades


  • Fellow, Royal Society of Literature and Royal Geographical Society in UK

  • Honorary doctorate in literature from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

  • Honorary doctorate in literature from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts

  • 2015: Patron's Medal from the Royal Geographical Society in UK

  • 2011: Induction, American Academy of Arts & Sciences

  • 1990: Maria Thomas Fiction Award, lifetime achievement award[42]

  • 1983: American Book Award nominee – The Mosquito Coast

  • 1981: James Tait Black Memorial Prize – The Mosquito Coast

  • 1981: American Book Award nominee – The Old Patagonian Express

  • 1989: Thomas Cook Travel Book Award – Riding the Iron Rooster

  • 1978: Whitbread Prize for Best Novel – Picture Palace

  • 1977: American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters award for literature

  • 1972, 1976, 1977, and 1979: The Playboy Editorial Award for Best Story