The famed Broadway composer will receive the 16th Carl Sandburg Literary Award Oct. 21 at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Carl Sandburg Literary Award, according to the award's website, is presented annually to an "acclaimed author in recognition of outstanding contributions to the literary world and honors a significant work or body of work that has enhanced the public's awareness of the written word."

Sondheim will be part of the celebration dinner, which will also include an interview conducted by NPR's Scott Simon.

Sondheim, who penned the lyrics for Gypsy and West Side Story, is the award-winning composer-lyricist of A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Anyone Can Whistle, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Company and Passion, among others.

The evening will also honor novelist Eric Charles May with the 21st Century Award, which salutes authors who have released few but exceptional books. For more information visit www.cplfoundation.org.