Nobel Prize: History, Selection Process, and Global Impact

The Nobel Prize stands as one of the most prestigious honors in the world, recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Established by the will of Alfred Nobel, these prizes celebrate excellence across diverse fields, from the rigorous depths of physics and chemistry to the nuanced realms of literature and global peace.

Legend suggests that Alfred Nobel was inspired to create the prizes after reading a premature obituary of himself in a French newspaper, which titled him "The Merchant of Death Is Dead." Seeking a more positive legacy, Nobel dedicated the vast majority of his wealth to the pursuit of human progress.

A black and white photo of a bearded man in his fifties sitting in a chair. — One story says that Alfred Nobel had the unpleasant surprise of reading his own obituary, which was titled "The Merchant of Death Is Dead", in a French newspaper

Key Facts

Founder: Alfred Nobel, who allocated 94% of his assets to establish the prizes.
Categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
First Awarded: December 10, 1901.
Total Laureates: 627 prizes awarded to 1,012 individuals and organizations (as of 2024).
Rewards: A gold-plated green gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award (approximately 11 million SEK or US$1.035 million as of 2023).

A paper with stylish handwriting on it with the title "Testament" — Alfred Nobel's will, which stated that 94% of his total assets should be used to establish the Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Foundation and Awarding Bodies

Evolution of the prize amount between 1901 and 2023, adjusted for inflation

The prizes are managed by the Nobel Foundation, but the selection and presentation are handled by specific institutions based on the category. While most prizes are awarded in Sweden, the Peace Prize is a distinct exception awarded in Norway.

Awarding Institutions

Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences: Responsible for Physics, Chemistry, and Economic Sciences.
Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute: Responsible for Physiology or Medicine.
Swedish Academy: Responsible for Literature.
Norwegian Nobel Committee: Responsible for the Peace Prize.

A room with pictures on the walls. In the middle of the room there is a wooden table with chairs around it. — The committee room of the Norwegian Nobel Committee

The Selection Process and Traditions

The Nobel Prize in Literature laureates Ivo Andrić (recipient in 1961) and José Saramago (recipient in 1998) pictured on a 2022 Serbian stamp

The journey to becoming a Nobel laureate involves a rigorous process of nominations and selection. While the specific details of nominations are kept confidential for many years, the final decision is made by the respective awarding bodies.

The Nobel Banquet and Lecture

The celebration of the laureates culminates in the Nobel Banquet in Stockholm, a grand event where winners gather to celebrate their achievements. Additionally, laureates are expected to deliver a Nobel lecture, providing deeper insight into the work that earned them the honor.

A set table with a white table cloth. There are many plates and glasses plus a menu visible on the table. — Table at the 2005 Nobel Banquet in Stockholm

Recognition and Rewards

Beyond the monetary prize, laureates receive a heavily decorated diploma and a gold medal. These items serve as permanent symbols of their contribution to human knowledge and peace.

A heavily decorated paper with the name "Fritz Haber" on it. — Fritz Haber's diploma is shown, which he received for the development of a method to synthesise ammonia. Laureates receive a heavily decorated diploma together with a gold medal and prize money

The Nobel diploma awarded to Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1901

Statistics and Notable Laureates

Over the last century, the Nobel Prizes have tracked the evolution of human discovery. Some individuals have achieved the rare feat of winning multiple prizes, while others have become symbols of persistence in their fields.

Summary of Nobel Prize Categories and Presenters
Category	Presenting Body	Location
Physics	Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences	Sweden
Chemistry	Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences	Sweden
Physiology or Medicine	Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute	Sweden
Literature	Swedish Academy	Sweden
Peace	Norwegian Nobel Committee	Norway
Economic Sciences	Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences	Sweden

Marie Skłodowska-Curie remains one of the most distinguished figures in the history of the prize, being one of only five people to receive the award twice, spanning two different disciplines: Physics and Chemistry.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie, one of five people who have received the Nobel Prize twice (Physics and Chemistry)

The distribution of prizes has also evolved globally, reflecting the shifting centers of scientific and literary achievement.

Controversies and Omissions

Despite its prestige, the Nobel Prize has not been without controversy. Critics have pointed to a historical gender imbalance and a perceived Eurocentric bias, particularly in the Literature category.

Controversial Awards and Refusals

Some awards have sparked significant backlash. For instance, the 1973 Peace Prize awarded to Henry Kissinger led to the resignation of two Norwegian Nobel Committee members in protest. In other cases, laureates have been forced to decline their prizes due to political constraints, such as Richard Kuhn in Chemistry.

When it was announced that Henry Kissinger was to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, two of the Norwegian Nobel Committee members resigned in protest

A black and white portrait of a man in a suit and tie. Half of his face is in a shadow. — Richard Kuhn, who was forced to decline his Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The "Missing" Laureates

The prize is often discussed in terms of who did not receive it. Mohandas Gandhi, despite being nominated five times, was never awarded the Peace Prize. Similarly, literary giants like James Joyce are often cited as notable omissions.

Mohandas Gandhi, although nominated five times, was never awarded a Nobel Peace Prize

James Joyce, one of the controversial omissions of the Nobel Prize in Literature

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Peace Prize awarded in Norway instead of Sweden?

This arrangement was specified in Alfred Nobel's will, which designated the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the body responsible for selecting the Peace Prize laureate.

Can a person receive a Nobel Prize posthumously?

Generally, the prize is not awarded posthumously. However, there are rare exceptions where a laureate may remain a laureate if the announcement was made before their death.

What is the "Nobel Prize effect"?

The Nobel Prize effect refers to observations regarding the potential adverse effects that receiving such a high-profile award can have on a laureate's subsequent work or psychological well-being.

How is the prize money determined?

The prize money is funded by the returns on the capital invested by the Nobel Foundation. The amount is adjusted periodically; as of 2023, it is approximately 11 million SEK.

Who is the only person to receive more than one unshared Nobel Prize?

While several people have won multiple prizes, the records track specific distinctions regarding shared versus unshared awards and those winning in different disciplines.