Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prizes

• Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist.
• He was born on October 21, 1833, and died on December 10, 1896.
• Nobel is best known for inventing dynamite.
• He also owned Bofors, which he redirected from its previous role as primarily an iron and steel producer to a major manufacturer of cannon and other armaments.
• In his last will, Nobel bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes.

The Nobel Prizes

• The Nobel Prizes are a set of annual, international awards in several categories.
• The categories include Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
• The prizes were first awarded in 1901.
• A sixth prize, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, was established in 1968 by the Swedish central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, to honor Nobel.

Motivation for the Prizes

• Nobel's motivations for establishing the prizes are complex and have been the subject of much speculation.
• One theory suggests he was concerned about how he would be remembered, particularly after a French newspaper mistakenly published an obituary for him when his brother Ludvig died, titled "The merchant of death is dead."
• Nobel was reportedly upset by the negative portrayal of his legacy as someone who profited from the invention of dynamite, which had destructive applications in warfare.
• Another theory suggests that Nobel, a lifelong bachelor, may have wanted to leave a legacy of promoting peace and recognizing achievements that benefit humanity.

Nobel's Will

• Nobel's will, signed on November 27, 1895, in Paris, specified that the bulk of his estate should be converted into a fund.
• The fund's annual interest should be distributed as prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.
• He stipulated that the interest should be divided into five equal parts and awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
• The will was controversial at the time and faced opposition from Nobel's family and legal challenges.
• It took several years to resolve these issues before the Nobel Foundation could be established and the prizes awarded.

Prize-Awarding Institutions

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.
• The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• The Swedish Academy awards the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• The Norwegian Nobel Committee awards the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Each prize-awarding institution has its own selection process, involving committees and expert evaluations.

Selection Process

• The selection process is rigorous and involves multiple stages.
• It begins with the solicitation of nominations from qualified individuals and institutions around the world.
• Committees composed of experts in each field review the nominations and create a short list of candidates.
• These candidates are then evaluated in more detail, often involving external experts and extensive research.
• The committees make recommendations to their respective institutions, which then vote to select the laureates.
• The process is confidential, and the deliberations of the committees are not made public.

Prize Ceremony

• The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death.
• The ceremonies take place in Stockholm, Sweden, for all prizes except the Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
• Laureates receive a Nobel medal, a diploma, and a sum of money.
• The Nobel medal is unique for each prize and features an image of Alfred Nobel.
• The diploma is a hand-crafted work of art, specific to the laureate.
• The amount of the prize money varies from year to year, depending on the investment income of the Nobel Foundation.

Nobel Foundation

• The Nobel Foundation is a private organization established in 1900 to manage Nobel's fortune and administer the Nobel Prizes.
• The Foundation's primary responsibilities include investing the capital, managing the prize ceremonies, and promoting the Nobel Prizes.
• The Foundation is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the prize-awarding institutions and the Nobel family.

Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences

• The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was established in 1968 by Sveriges Riksbank, the Swedish central bank, in memory of Alfred Nobel.
• It is awarded according to the same principles as the other Nobel Prizes.
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Prize in Economic Sciences.

Controversies

• The Nobel Prizes have faced controversies over the years.
• Some criticisms have focused on the selection process, with accusations of bias or political influence.
• Other controversies have involved the laureates themselves, either for their political views or for later actions that contradicted the spirit of the prize.
• The decision not to award Mahatma Gandhi the Nobel Peace Prize has been a subject of debate.

Notable Laureates

• Marie Curie: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911.
• Albert Einstein: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
• Alexander Fleming: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 for the discovery of penicillin.
• Ernest Hemingway: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
• Martin Luther King Jr.: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Significance

• The Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards in their respective fields.
• They recognize groundbreaking achievements and contributions that have had a significant impact on society.
• The prizes also serve to inspire and encourage further research and innovation.
• The Nobel Prizes have helped to promote international collaboration and understanding.

Criticism

• Some critics argue that the Nobel Prizes are too focused on Western achievements and perspectives.
• There are also concerns about the underrepresentation of women and minorities among Nobel laureates.
• The emphasis on individual achievement has also been questioned, as many scientific discoveries are the result of collaborative efforts.
• Some believe that the Nobel Prizes have become too politicized, particularly the Peace Prize.

Learn about Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prizes. The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards given in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace and Economic Sciences. The prizes were first awarded in 1901.