About Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize was set up when inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and businessman Alfred Nobel died and left the majority of his fortune to the establishment of prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. His will stated that the prizes should be awarded to “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”
When the first Nobel Prize was awarded?
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 and they have been awarded annually since then. There have been years in that time when the Nobel Prizes have not been awarded - mostly during World War I (1914-1918) and II (1939-1945).
What are the different categories in which Nobel Prizes are given?
The Nobel Prize categories are physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace – these were laid out in the will of Alfred Nobel. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
What is the source of prize money for the Nobel Prize?
When Alfred Nobel died leaving the majority of his fortune to the establishment of the Nobel Prize he stated that the money should be converted into a fund and invested in “safe securities.” Today the interest earned on that money is used to fund the Nobel Prizes.
Why the Nobel Prize winners are called Nobel Prize laureates?
The word “laureate” refers to being signified by the laurel wreath. In ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to victors as a sign of honour. Put that together with the Nobel Prize and we get “Nobel Prize laureate”.
How many people can share the same Nobel Prize?
A Nobel Prize can be shared by up to three individuals, or in the case of the peace prize, it can also be awarded to an organisation.
Can the Nobel Prize be awarded posthumously?
No, a Nobel Prize cannot be awarded posthumously.
However, since 1974, if the recipient dies after the prize has been announced they can still be awarded it.
Posthumous Nobel Prizes laureates
Erik Axel Karlfeldt; received Nobel Prize in Literature (1931).
Dag Hammarskjöld; received Nobel Peace Prize (1961).
Ralph M. Steinman; received Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2011).
Who selects the Nobel Prize laureates?
In his last will and testament, Alfred Nobel specifically designated the institutions responsible for the prizes he wished to be established.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry
Karolinska Institute (now The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute) for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Swedish Academy for the Nobel Prize in Literature
A committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel was instituted in 1968, on the tercentenary of the bank. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was given the task of selecting the economic sciences laureates. It has been awarded since 1969 according to the same principles as the Nobel Prizes.
How many individuals and organisations have received more than one Nobel Prize?
Five individuals and two organisations have received more than one Nobel Prize.
When is the Nobel Day observed?
The Nobel Day – which takes place on 10 December every year – marks the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death and is the day that the Nobel Prizes are presented to Nobel Prize laureates.
Who is the youngest person to receive a Nobel Prize?
Malala Yousafzai; at the age of 17, received Nobel Peace Prize (2014).
Who is the oldest person to receive a Nobel Prize?
John B. Goodenough; at the age of 97, received Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2019).
Who is the only person to receive more than one unshared Nobel Prize?
Linus Pauling; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) and Nobel Peace Prize (1962).
Which country has the most Nobel laureates?
United States; 403 Nobel laureates, as of 2022.
Which Laureates have received multiple Nobel Prizes?
Marie Curie; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Physics (1903) and Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1911).
International Committee of the Red Cross; received the prize three times. Nobel Peace Prize (1917, 1944, 1963).
Linus Pauling; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1954) and Nobel Peace Prize (1962).
John Bardeen; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Physics (1956, 1972).
Frederick Sanger; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1958, 1980).
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; received the prize twice. Nobel Peace Prize (1954, 1981).
Karl Barry Sharpless; received the prize twice. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2001, 2022).
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . In which categories did Marie Curie win her two different Nobel prizes: CDS 2007
(a) Physics and Chemistry
(b) Chemistry and Medicine
(c) Physics and Medicine
(d) Chemistry and Peace
(a)
