Giorgos Seferis and the 1963 Nobel Prize in Literature Nominations
The selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature is often as fascinating as the award itself, revealing the internal deliberations of the Swedish Academy and the global literary landscape of the time. In 1963, the committee faced a diverse pool of talent, ultimately deciding to honor the Greek poet Giorgos Seferis. This decision was not merely a recognition of individual merit but a conscious effort to acknowledge a language area that had long been overlooked.
The path to Seferis's victory was a gradual one. His journey with the Nobel Committee began in 1955 when he was first nominated by Romilly Jenkins, a professor of Byzantine and Modern Greek literature. Over the years, he received a total of five nominations, supported by figures such as T. S. Eliot, C. A. Trypanis, and Eyvind Johnson, before finally securing the prize.
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Key Facts
- Total Nominations: 121 nominations were submitted for 81 different authors in 1963.
- Most Nominated: American poet Robert Frost received the highest number of nominations (8).
- Diverse Candidates: Nominees included two heads of state: French President Charles de Gaulle and Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor.
- Gender Representation: Five women were nominated: Ingeborg Bachmann, Juana de Ibarbourou, Gertrud von le Fort, Kate Roberts, and Nelly Sachs.
- The Winner: Giorgos Seferis was chosen unanimously by the committee to represent modern Hellas.
The Deliberation Process
The decision-making process was led by Anders Österling, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy and chairman of the Nobel committee. Seferis emerged as the winner after being narrowed down to a final three, which included W.H. Auden and Pablo Neruda. Österling viewed the award as a "beautiful tribute to modern Hellas," noting that the Greek language area had waited too long for such an honor.
Not all candidates were viewed favorably. Österling dismissed the candidacies of Samuel Beckett and Vladimir Nabokov, claiming they did not align with the "ideal intentions" of the Nobel Prize. Furthermore, political concerns initially made Österling hesitant regarding Pablo Neruda and Mikhail Sholokhov, though both would eventually receive the prize in later years.
The committee also recognized emerging talent. While some felt it was too early for poet Nelly Sachs, committee member Karl Ragnar Gierow championed her candidacy, leading to her eventual win in 1966.
1963 Nominee Overview
The 1963 list was a snapshot of 20th-century intellectualism, spanning genres from philosophy and philology (the study of language in oral and written historical sources) to drama and poetry. The list included established giants like Jean-Paul Sartre and Jorge Luis Borges, as well as first-time nominees such as Yukio Mishima and André Breton.
Tragically, the year was also marked by loss. Several distinguished writers, including C. S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, passed away in 1963 without ever being nominated. Robert Frost, the most nominated candidate of the year, died just months before the official announcement.
| Nominee | Country | Primary Genre(s) | Outcome/Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giorgos Seferis | Greece | Poetry, Memoir, Essays | Awarded 1963 |
| Robert Frost | United States | Poetry, Drama | Most nominated (8) |
| Nelly Sachs | Germany/Sweden | Poetry, Drama | Awarded 1966 |
| Jean-Paul Sartre | France | Philosophy, Novel, Drama | Awarded 1964 |
| Pablo Neruda | Chile | Poetry | Awarded 1971 |
| Samuel Beckett | Ireland | Novel, Drama, Poetry | Awarded 1969 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the most nominated author in 1963?
The American poet Robert Frost received the highest number of nominations for the 1963 prize, with a total of 8 nominations.
Why was Giorgos Seferis chosen for the prize?
The Nobel committee was unanimous in its decision, and chairman Anders Österling specifically wanted to honor the modern Greek language area, which he felt had been overlooked for too long.
Were any political figures nominated for the literature prize?
Yes, two heads of state were nominated: French President Charles de Gaulle and Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor.
Which female authors were nominated in 1963?
Five women were nominated: Ingeborg Bachmann, Juana de Ibarbourou, Gertrud von le Fort, Kate Roberts, and Nelly Sachs.
Why were Samuel Beckett and Vladimir Nabokov rejected?
Anders Österling argued that neither author lived up to the "ideal intentions" of the Nobel Prize at that time.