London, Apr 4 : US President Barack Obama has scooped the Galaxy British Book Award for his autobiography `Dreams From My Father'.

The American leader, who was unable to collect his trophy - owning to G20 talks to tackle the global economic downturn- fought off competition from Paul O''Grady and Dawn French to take the biography prize.

Man Booker winner Aravind Adiga, who was named the Borders Author of the Year for his novel The White Tiger, pushed Obama to the second spot.

Obama''s political thesis, The Audacity of Hope, had been in the running in that category, reports The BBC.

Kate Summerscale landed two gongs as she collected the non-fiction award and book of the year for her Victorian murder mystery, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

Sebastian Faulks won the popular fiction award for his James Bond story, Devil May Care.

`Dreams From My Father' was first published in 1995 after Obama was elected the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review, but before his political career began.

The book was re-released in 2004 following Obama''s keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC); the 2004 edition includes a new introduction by Obama, then a Senator-elect, as well as his DNC keynote address.

The glittering awards ceremony was hosted by Richard and Judy in London. (ANI)