History of the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards, established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and…

By Staff , in Global , at November 12, 2024 Tags: institutions

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The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards, established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor best known for inventing dynamite. In his will, Nobel dedicated much of his fortune to the creation of the Nobel Prizes, which recognize outstanding achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank (Swedish National Bank) established the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in Nobel’s honor. The Nobel Prizes have become a symbol of extraordinary human achievement and dedication to the advancement of knowledge, culture, and humanitarian work.

Alfred Nobel and His Will
Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) was a wealthy Swedish industrialist, inventor, and scientist. He held over 350 patents, with dynamite being the most famous. Though he amassed great wealth from his inventions and industrial ventures, he became increasingly concerned with the destructive uses of his inventions.
In 1888, Nobel’s brother Ludvig died, but a French newspaper mistakenly published an obituary for Alfred Nobel instead, with the headline, “The merchant of death is dead.” The obituary criticized Nobel for profiting from explosives, which left a deep impression on him. Concerned about his legacy, Nobel decided to dedicate his fortune to rewarding those who benefit humanity.
In his will, signed on November 27, 1895, Nobel left instructions to establish a series of prizes in his name. His will specified that the prizes should go to those who “conferred the greatest benefit to mankind” in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Nobel designated the Nobel Foundation to administer the prizes and allocated the majority of his fortune, about 31 million SEK (equivalent to roughly $186 million today), to fund them.

The Nobel Foundation and Establishment of the Prizes
Alfred Nobel’s will initially met resistance from his family and from institutions that were assigned the responsibility of awarding the prizes. Despite these challenges, Nobel’s wishes were eventually honored, and the Nobel Foundation was established in 1900 to manage the finances, organize the prize committees, and oversee the annual awards.
Nobel appointed specific institutions to select each prize’s recipients:
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was entrusted with the Physics and Chemistry Prizes.
The Karolinska Institute was designated to award the Medicine Prize.
The Swedish Academy was given the responsibility for the Literature Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee was assigned to choose the recipient of the Peace Prize, as Nobel had stipulated that the Peace Prize should be awarded by a Norwegian committee, possibly due to his appreciation of Norway’s efforts toward peace.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901, the fifth anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, with laureates in each of the original five categories.

Expansion and the Addition of the Economics Prize
In 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank (Swedish National Bank) established the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences to celebrate its 300th anniversary. This prize, while not part of Alfred Nobel’s original will, was endowed in his memory and is administered by the Nobel Foundation alongside the other Nobel Prizes.
Officially called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, it has been awarded annually since 1969 and is selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Selection Process and Criteria
Each Nobel Prize has its own selection committee made up of experts in the relevant field. Candidates are typically nominated by recognized authorities, including academics, scientists, past laureates, and political figures, depending on the category.
The committees rigorously evaluate the nominations and choose laureates based on their contributions to their field, originality, and benefit to humanity. The decision-making process is confidential, and nominees’ names are not revealed until 50 years later.
Each Nobel Prize consists of a medal, a diploma, and a monetary award, with the amount adjusted over the years based on the Nobel Foundation’s financial performance. As of recent years, the cash prize for each Nobel category has been approximately 10 million Swedish kronor (around $1 million USD).

Notable Laureates and Milestones
The Nobel Prizes have recognized some of the most important contributions to human knowledge, peace, and culture. Notable laureates include:
Marie Curie: The first woman to win a Nobel Prize (1903 in Physics) and the only person to win in two different sciences (also in 1911 in Chemistry).
Albert Einstein: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the photoelectric effect, a fundamental breakthrough in modern physics.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent struggle against racial discrimination in the U.S.
Malala Yousafzai: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at age 17, becoming the youngest laureate in history, for her advocacy of education for girls.
There have also been controversies and criticisms over some awards, such as the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Henry Kissinger in 1973, and the refusal of some individuals to accept their awards, including Le Duc Tho, who declined the Peace Prize awarded jointly to him and Kissinger.

Controversies and Criticisms
The Nobel Peace Prize has occasionally stirred controversy due to the political nature of some recipients, including Kissinger, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Barack Obama. These awards sparked debate about whether the recipients’ actions aligned with Nobel’s vision of peace.
Another criticism involves the limited representation of women among laureates, especially in science categories, reflecting historical gender disparities in academia and research.
Additionally, some argue that Alfred Nobel’s criteria for “benefit to humanity” are interpreted too broadly, particularly in fields like Economics, which can be seen as indirectly benefiting humanity rather than providing immediate humanitarian impact.

The Nobel Prizes Today
The Nobel Prizes remain among the most prestigious and respected awards in the world, honoring groundbreaking contributions to humanity. The awards continue to recognize those who push the boundaries of human knowledge, science, and culture, and they are celebrated annually on December 10 in Stockholm (for all categories except Peace) and Oslo (for the Peace Prize).
The Nobel Foundation has adapted over the years, establishing Nobel Week, which includes lectures, concerts, and ceremonies attended by members of the Swedish and Norwegian royal families. Nobel laureates are invited to deliver Nobel Lectures in their respective fields, sharing insights into their work and the impact of their contributions.

Legacy and Impact
The Nobel Prizes have greatly impacted science, literature, and humanitarian efforts by bringing global recognition to fields that advance human knowledge and well-being. They serve as a catalyst for further research and progress, often encouraging funding, attention, and respect for scientific and social issues.
Alfred Nobel’s legacy lives on through the laureates and their contributions, embodying his desire to make a positive difference in the world. By supporting achievements that inspire progress and understanding, the Nobel Prizes have become synonymous with excellence and dedication to the betterment of humanity.