An article by Fernando Riva has been selected winner of prestigious John K. Walsh Prize for best scholarly essay of the year in La corónica by the Modern Language Association, LLC Medieval Iberian.

Rivera is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures.  

La corónica is a renowned scholarly journal committed to the advancement of medieval Iberian studies. The journal publishes top-tier articles on topics in medieval Iberian cultural studies and literature. 

Riva's article, titled "Mas querìa yr perdersse o la uentura mudar': curiosidad intelectual y peregrinaje en el Libro de Apolonio," studies the figure of King Apolonio of Tyre and his relations to the limits of knowledge through riddle-solving and travel. 

The selection of the recipient of this award is made by the Executive Committee of the Modern Language Association Forum, LLC Medieval Iberian in memory of the revered American hispanomedievalist John K. Walsh (1939-1990), with the tribute being celebrated each year at the MLA convention.

The list of annual winners is also published in each spring issue of the journal. A formal ceremony will be held during the MLA Convention, this year in Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. 

The editor of the journal, Michelle Hamilton, recognized Riva's achievement by saying, "In the name of the Executive Committee, the Editorial Board of La corónica and fellow Hispanomedievalists around the world, we thank you for your distinguished contribution to our field."