Created to recognize outstanding works by African-American authors and illustrators, the Coretta Scott King Awards were first awarded by the American Library Association in 1970. The first award was solely for writing, won by Lillie Patterson's book "Martin Luther King, Jr., Man of Peace." In 1974, the first illustrator award went to George Ford for "Ray Charles," and 1995 saw the inaguration of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Since its inception, award winners have included Walter Dean Myers, Leo and Diane Dillon, Jerry Pinckney, Toni Morrison and Mildred D. Taylor.