The Nobel Prizes

Alfred Nobel

Biographical Accounts Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on October 21, 1833. He was fluent in several languages, and wrote poetry and drama. Nobel was also very interested in social and peace-related issues.

Immanuel Nobel Andriette Nobel

Immanuel Nobel, the inventor One of his inventions

Painting by Immanuel Nobel demonstrating his sea or naval mines to the Tsar of Russia.

Alfred’s mother Andriette Nobel Alfred's mother, born Andriette Ahlsell, came from a wealthy family. In 1837 Immanuel Nobel and his family left Stockholm to start a new career in Russia. To support the family, Andriette Nobel started a grocery store which provided a modest income. Andriette Nobel

The invention was made in 1866 The invention was made in 1866. Alfred got a patent or legal right of ownership on this material the next year. He named it "dynamite." He also invented a detonator or blasting cap which could be set off by lighting a fuse.

"Wealthy, highly-educated elderly gentleman seeks lady, versed in languages, as secretary." The most qualified applicant turned out to be a woman, Bertha Kinsky. After working a very short time for Nobel she decided to marry Arthur von Suttner. In spite of this Alfred Nobel and Bertha von Suttner remained friends. Over the years Bertha von Suttner became a prominent figure in the peace movement. No doubt this influenced Alfred Nobel when he wrote his final will which was to include a Prize for persons who promoted peace. Several years after the death of Alfred Nobel, the Norwegian Storting (Parliament) decided to award the 1905 Nobel Peace Prize to Bertha von Suttner.

When Nobel's will was made known after his death in San Remo on 10 December 1896, this immediately created a great international sensation.

Alfred Nobel’s final will

The first Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in 1901 at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm.

Norway and Sweden are situated in Scandinavia, northern Europe Norway and Sweden are situated in Scandinavia, northern Europe. Oslo is the capital of Norway and Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.

a Nobel diploma, a medal, and 10 million Swedish crowns The Nobel Prizes a Nobel diploma, a medal, and 10 million Swedish crowns

Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma and a cash award.

This is how the hall, where the ceremony takes place, looks like.

Monument to Nobel in the Hall

Ceremony

The duty of the princess is to be present at the ceremony.

That’s how the laureates should look like at the ceremony.

A piece of Ahtisaari’s speech. Only very few of us can become peace mediators at a high international level.  But we can all be peace mediators at a national or local level, in the neighborhood, at schools, or in families. In this respect universities and schools can make valuable contributions. Ahtisaari has put it as follows: "We must all look in the mirror and ask ourselves have I done my best for peace."

Interesting Facts about Nobel Prize: 549 Nobel Prizes!   Were given to one Laureate Shared by two Laureates Shared by three Laureates Physics 47 29 Chemistry 63 22 18 Medicine 38 31 33 Literature 100 4 - Peace 62 28 2 Economic Sciences 16 5 Total number: 332 130 87

Years when Nobel Prize wasn’t given. Physics 1916, 1931, 1934, 1940, 1941, 1942 Chemistry 1916, 1917, 1919, 1924, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1942 Medicine 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1921, 1925, 1940, 1941, 1942 Literature 1914, 1918, 1935, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 Peace 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1966, 1967, 1972 Economic Sciences -

Only 43 Nobel Prizes were given to women! Barbara McClintock Toni Morrison Marie Curie

Four Nobel Laureates have been forced by authorities to decline the Nobel Prize! Richard Kuhn Adolf Butenandt Gerhard Domagk Boris Pasternak

The Youngest Nobel Laureate is Lawrence Bragg.

The oldest Nobel Laureate is Leonid Hurwicz.

Two Nobel Laureates have declined the Nobel Prize! Jean- Paul Sartre Le Duc Tho

Three Nobel Laureates were in prison at the time of the award. Carl von Ossietzky Aung San Suu Kyi Liu Xiaobo

Alfred Nobel is really a man bringing fame to others.