The Legacy of the Nobel Prize: A Complete Guide to Nobel Award Winners

Table of Contents

• What is the Nobel Prize?
• Who Was Alfred B. Nobel?
• Categories of Nobel Prize
• List of Nobel Award Winners
• Spotlight on Peace Prize Winners
• India and the Nobel Awards
• How to Win a Nobel Prize?
• Institutions Behind the Prize
• Facts About the Nobel Prize
• Conclusion
• FAQs

The Nobel Prize, or Nobel Award, stands as a globally renowned symbol of excellence, honouring individuals and organisations whose work has significantly advanced humanity's well-being. 

The Nobel Prize celebrates individuals whose discoveries have changed the world. Alfred Nobel instituted this prize. Annually, these esteemed awards recognise outstanding achievements in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. They reflect Nobel’s enduring vision to reward those who have “conferred the greatest benefit to mankind.”

Here are key aspects of the Nobel Prize legacy:

What is the Nobel Prize?

The Nobel Prize is a prestigious collection of six international awards presented annually to honour outstanding contributions across a range of fields. These fields include:

• Physics, 
• Chemistry, 
• Physiology or Medicine
• Literature, 
• Peace, 
• Economic Sciences. 

The first Nobel Prizes were awarded on December 10, 1901, in Stockholm, Sweden, in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The first Nobel Peace Prize was shared by Frenchman Frédéric Passy – a French economist and pacifist and Jean Henry Dunant – a Swiss businessman and social activist.

On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes for five categories. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Bernhard Nobel. 

* Source: https://www.nobelprize.org/the-nobel-prize-organisation/# 

Who was Alfred B. Nobel?

Alfred Nobel was best known for inventing dynamite and for establishing the Nobel Prizes.

The Nobel Prize was founded at the behest of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and businessman. He was dedicated to recognising the individuals and organisations that had the greatest impact on humanity. His legacy lives on through these Nobel awards, which celebrate progress, innovation, and efforts to make the world a better place. Thus, the Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards due to their history, highly competitive selection process, and recognition of world-changing achievements.

Key Facts about Alfred Bernhard Nobel:

• Birth: October 21, 1833, in Stockholm, Sweden
• Death: December 10, 1896, in San Remo, Italy

Alfred Nobel, a Swedish businessman, was best known for inventing dynamite and for establishing the Nobel Prizes. He was born on October 21, 1833, to a family in Stockholm, Sweden. Along with his brothers, Alfred was given a first-class education with the help of private tutors, and at the age of 17, he could speak and write Swedish, Russian, French, English, and German.  

Alfred was most interested in literature, chemistry, and physics, so he moved abroad to study and become a chemical engineer. He became genuinely interested in nitroglycerine and how it could be used in construction work. Moving back to Sweden in 1863, Alfred concentrated on developing nitroglycerine as an explosive. Unfortunately, some of these experiments resulted in fatal accidents, one of which involved Alfred's younger brother. Later, Alfred wrote down his plans to establish the Nobel Prize, which included an award for individuals or organisations that promoted peace.

Major Contributions:

The Nobel Prizes in six different categories

Alfred B. Nobel was interested in literature and peace. He was fluent in several languages and even wrote poetry and drama.

The invention of dynamite in 1867: It was a more stable and safer alternative to nitroglycerin and became widely used in construction and mining.

Wealth and Industry:  Alfred B. Nobel amassed a fortune through his inventions and industrial enterprises, operating factories and labs in over 20 countries.

Legacy:

Despite making his fortune from explosives, Alfred Nobel is remembered as a humanitarian and visionary who sought to use his wealth to promote progress and peace. The Nobel Prize is still one of the most prestigious honours in the world today.

Also Read: Top 15 Famous Indian Scientists and their Life-Changing Discoveries!

Categories of Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually in six distinct categories, each of which acknowledges an outstanding contribution to humanity. Here are the official categories:

Physics

Physics was the prize category, which Alfred Nobel mentioned first in his will in 1895. This award is presented for the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics.

Chemistry

Chemistry was the most important science for Alfred Nobel’s own work. Chemistry was the second prize category that Nobel mentioned in his will. This award is presented for the most important chemical discovery or outstanding achievements in Chemistry.

Physiology or Medicine

This award recognises contributions to understanding human biology or the development of medical treatments and technologies.

Literature

The prize is given to writers, poets, or playwrights who have demonstrated exceptional literary merit in their writing and who tend to explore the human condition in their work.

Peace

This award is given to organisations, individuals, or movements that have contributed greatly to peace, conflict resolution, or human rights advocacy.

Economic Sciences

(Officially: The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel)

Established in 1969 by Sweden’s central bank, this award honours contributions to the field of economics, such as theories, research, or applied work that improve understandings of economic processes. 

Each of these Nobel prizes is awarded by a designated committee or institution, and laureates are announced annually in October, with the award ceremonies taking place in December.

List of Nobel Award Winners

Here is a detailed look at the 2024 Nobel Prize winners, the most recent laureates across all six categories:

*Source: https://www.nobelprize.org/all-nobel-prizes-2024/ 

Nobel Prize winners list:

India has earned a growing presence with 12 laureates, frequently in Peace and Literature.

Other countries like Italy (21), Poland (19), Israel (13), Norway (13), and Australia (14) also feature prominently. Nations with one laureate include Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and several others.

Based on the analysed data, here are the top countries with the most Nobel Prize winners:

* Source:  https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/nobel-prizes-by-country

* Source:  https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/countries-with-most-nobel-prize-winners-1713353909-1

Nobel Prize winners by country:

Here is an overview of Nobel Prize winners by country, based on cumulative data from 1901 through 2024. These figures represent the laureates' country of birth or citizenship at the time of the award and include all six Nobel categories.

Notable Mentions by Region

Categories with the Most Global Representation:

• Peace Prize: Frequently awarded to organisations and individuals worldwide

• Literature Prize: Broad geographic diversity, awarded to authors from over 40 countries

• Science Prizes: Tend to cluster in countries with major research institutions (U.S., U.K., Germany)

Top 10 Countries by Number of Nobel Laureates:

Below is an overview of Nobel Prize winners across all six categories from 2017 to 2024:

Nobel Prize Winners 2017:

Nobel Prize Winners 2018:

Nobel Prize Winners 2019:

Nobel Prize Winners 2020

Nobel Prize Winners 2021:

Nobel Prize Winners 2022:

Nobel Prize Winners 2023:

Nobel Prize Winners 2024:

Spotlight on Peace Prize Winners

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most consequential symbols of hope and transformation in the world. It celebrates individuals and organisations who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place, often through extraordinary acts of courage, compassion, and resilience. Since 1901, generations of peacebuilders have continued to draw inspiration from the prize's legacy.

Martin Luther King Jr (1964)

Martin Luther King Jr was known for his sacrifices and unwavering belief in nonviolence. According to the sources, at just 35 years old, he was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his non-violent struggle for civil rights for the Afro-American population.

Mother Teresa (1979)

The name Mother Teresa evokes deep admiration. In her entire life, she was dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor and became a symbol of selfless love. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work in bringing help to suffering humanity.

Aung San Suu Kyi (1991)

Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and political activist. In 1991, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar. 

Nelson Mandela (1993)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 “for their work for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa and for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime.”

Malala Yousafzai (2014)

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani female education activist, stood up for her right to learn. Malala Yousafzai was the youngest-ever Nobel laureate at just 17. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.

These individuals were among the notable Nobel Peace Prize winners. Each of these Nobel Peace Prize laureates reminds us that the road to peace is often not straight but involves courage, compromise, and unwavering resolve. They teach us that peace is not a passive state but an active pursuit, requiring us to be engaged with the world around us and fight for justice and fairness. Their stories are not just inspiring but also worthy of imitation.

India and the Nobel Awards

Indians have received the Nobel Prize in diverse categories, including physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. 

Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian Nobel Laureate, who won the Nobel prize in Literature in 1913 for penning India’s national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” as well as for his infamous verse “Gitanjali.”

Out of the 1000 Nobel Prize winners, there are 13 Nobel Laureates in India, ranging from Indian-origin scientists, scholars and social activists who have been awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize. 

Over the years, Indian laureates have made significant contributions in various fields, leaving a mark that continues to inspire millions.

Here are some of India’s Nobel laureates and their significant contributions to the world:

Also Read: Kuvempu: Karnataka’s Iconic Poet and Jnanpith Award Winner

How to Win a Nobel Prize?

The Nobel Awards are considered the most prestigious annual international awards. According to Alfred Nobel's last will, this award is presented to those who have conferred the most significant benefit on humankind in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences.

The Nobel Awards most often go to researchers who withstand specialisation; winners who are creative thinkers; and those who synthesise innovations from varied fields and even hobbies. 

To become a Nobel Prize laureate, one must first be nominated for a prize by an eligible nominator. Eligible nominations are then considered by the prize awarders, who make the final decision as to who will receive a Nobel Prize. Here, self-nomination is not allowed.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the nomination process:

Step 1: Make a Significant Contribution

Step 2: Nomination is Essential

Step 3: Nominees must meet specific criteria for nominations

Step 4: Selection Process

Step 5: Review and Shortlisting

Step 6: Expert Consultation

Step 7: Final Decision

Institutions Behind the Prize

The Nobel Prizes are awarded by several different institutions, based on Alfred Nobel's will. 

Alfred Nobel specifically designated the institutions responsible for the prizes he wished to establish. These include: 

• The Norwegian Nobel Committee for Peace
• The Swedish Academy for the Nobel Prize in Literature
• Karolinska Institutet for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry and Economic Sciences
• Additionally, the Committee of five persons is to be elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Facts about the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden, and based on the fortune of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur. 

Here are some key facts about the Nobel Prize:

Fact No. 1:  

The Nobel Foundation has ultimate responsibility for fulfilling the intentions in Alfred Nobel’s will.

Fact No. 2:  

The nomination processes for the Nobel Prize start in September each year and no person can nominate herself/himself for a Nobel Prize

Fact No. 3:  

The economic foundations for the Nobel Prize were laid in 1895 when Alfred Nobel signed his last will and left much of his wealth to the establishment of a prize and the subsequent Nobel Foundation

Fact No. 4:  

The Nobel Day, which takes place on 10 December every year, marks the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death and is the day that the Nobel Prizes are presented to Nobel Prize laureates.

Fact No. 5:  

According to the source, from 1901 to 2024, the Nobel Prize was awarded 627 times to 1,012 people and organisations. This resulted in a total of 976 individuals and 28 organisations receiving the Nobel Prize. Some of them have won it more than once.

Fact No. 6:  

There have been years in that time when the Nobel Prizes have not been awarded – mostly during World War I (1914–1918) and II (1939–1945).

Fact No. 7:  

The Economics Prize was established much later and is a memorial prize, as indicated by its full name: the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. 

Fact No. 8:  

There are no Nobel Prizes in mathematics, engineering, biology, or environmental science. 

This is because of the will of Alfred Nobel. This is because, according to his will, Nobel Prizes were designated for only these five categories: physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature, and peace. 

Fact No. 9:  

The oldest Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences is Leonid Hurwicz. He was 90 years old when he received the prize in 2007 and he received the Nobel award for having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory.

Fact No. 10:  

From 1901 to 2024, women received the Nobel Prize 66 times. Among them is Marie Curie, who was honoured twice.

• In 1911, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium and her work on isolating radium. 
• In 1903, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for her research into the spontaneous radiation phenomena discovered by Becquerel.

Conclusion

The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious and influential honours in the world, and it has stood for over a century. It celebrates human excellence by awarding outstanding achievements in six different categories, including physics, chemistry, physiology (medicine), literature, peace, and economic sciences.

Alfred Nobel had a vision of a better world, and he believed that people were capable of helping improve society through knowledge, science, and humanism. This is why he created a prize that would reward the discoveries that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. 

Thus, the Nobel Prize remains a beacon that recognises extraordinary achievements and encourages future generations to strive for knowledge, justice, and peace.

For further information on the Legacy of the Nobel Prize and Nobel Award Winners, read our blogs.