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Technical Questions »
How can I nominate someone for a Nobel Prize? »
Where can I find information on the nomination procedures? »
Where can I find a list of all Nobel Laureates? »
Could you give me the mailing address, e-mail address or fax number of a Nobel Laureate? »
Are there any copyright restrictions to the use of texts, photos and graphics from Nobelprize.org? »
Are there any plans to present Nobelprize.org in other languages? »
I would like permission to make a link to Nobelprize.org. »
Would it be possible for you to place a link to our server? »
I would like to propose a new Nobel Prize.
The Nobel Prizes, as designated in the Will of Alfred Nobel,
are in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.
Only once during these years has a prize been added – a Memorial
Prize – The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of
Alfred Nobel, donated by Sweden's central bank to celebrate its tercentenary
in 1968. The Board of Directors later decided to keep the original five prizes
intact and not to permit new additions.
Is there any information on the Nobel Prize amount?
There is a table of the
Nobel Prize amount in Swedish kronor
(SEK).
Why is the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in Oslo and all the other Nobel Prizes
in Stockholm?
Alfred Nobel left no explanation as to why the prize for peace was
to be awarded by a Norwegian committee while the other four prizes
were to be handled by Swedish committees. In the will he wrote:
"The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded
by the Swedish Academy of Sciences; that for physiology or medical works by
the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm; that for literature by the Academy in
Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to
be elected by the Norwegian Storting."
Read more: The Nobel Peace Prize
1901-2000 »
Is it possible to revoke a Nobel Prize?
No, it is not possible according to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, § 10.
I'm doing a project on Alfred Nobel and need some information on his life and work.
The section on Alfred Nobel features several articles
providing biographical accounts about his life and the companies he built
up. See, for example, "Alfred Nobel's Life and Work - for Gradeschoolers."
Where can I find the last will of Alfred Nobel?
Alfred
Nobel's Will – Full Text »
Alfred Nobel's
Will – Excerpt »
Alfred
Nobel's Will – Slide Show » (This 17-minute slide show marks
the major events leading to the awarding of the first Nobel Prizes.)
How do you pronounce 'Nobel'?
'Nobel' is the surname of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. It is pronounced 'noh-bel'.
How can I nominate myself or someone for a
Nobel Prize?
No person can nominate herself/himself.
Qualifications to nominate candidates vary somewhat among the Nobel Prize-Awarding
Institutions. To find out who has the right to submit proposals for an award
see:
Physics – The Nominators »
Chemistry – The Nominators »
Physiology or Medicine – The
Nominators »
Literature – The Nominators »
Peace – The Nominators »
Economic Sciences – The Nominators »
Where can I find information on the nomination procedures?
Nomination and Selection of Physics Laureates »
Nomination and Selection of Chemistry Laureates »
Nomination and Selection of Medicine Laureates »
Nomination and Selection of Literature Laureates »
Nomination and Selection of Peace Prize Laureates »
Nomination and Selection of Laureates in Economic Sciences »
Has X been nominated as a candidate for the Nobel Prize, or where do I find a list of Nobel Prize nominees?
According to the Statutes of
the Nobel Foundation, information about the nominations is not to
be disclosed, publicly or privately, for a period of fifty years. The
restriction not
only concerns the nominees and nominators, but also investigations
and opinions in the awarding of a prize. Nomination information older
than
fifty years is public. At this web site the
Nomination Databases for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,
1901-1951 and
for the
Nobel Peace Prize, 1901-1955 are now available. Nomination Databases
for the other prize categories will follow.
Is it possible to nominate someone for a posthumous Nobel Prize?
No, it is not. Previously, a person could be awarded a prize posthumously
if he/she had already been nominated (before February 1 of the same
year), which was true of Erik Axel Karlfeldt (Nobel Prize in Literature 1931)
and Dag Hammarskjöld (Nobel Peace Prize, 1961). Effective from 1974,
the prize may only go to a deceased person to whom it was already awarded
(usually in October) but who had died before he/she could receive the
Prize on December 10 (William Vickrey, 1996 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in
Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel). See also par.
4 of the Statutes of the
Nobel Foundation.
What is a Nobel Laureate?
A Laureate is a person honored for high achievement in a particular field.
A Nobel Laureate is someone who is awarded the Nobel Prize.
Why do you use the word Nobel Laureate and not Nobel Prize Winner?
The awarding of the Nobel Prizes is not a competition or lottery, and therefore there are no winners or losers. Nobel Laureates receive the Nobel Prize in recognition of their achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, or peace.
Where can I find a list of all Nobel
Laureates?
List of All Nobel Laureates »
List of Women Nobel Laureates »
List of Nobel Prize awarded organizations »
Nobel Laureates in Physics »
Nobel Laureates in Chemistry »
Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine »
Nobel Laureates in Literature »
Nobel Peace Prize Laureates »
Laureates in Economic Sciences »
List of Nobel Laureates and Universities »
Where can I find information on a certain Nobel Laureate?
If you know the name of the Nobel Laureate, type the last name of the Nobel
Laureate in the SEARCH field at the top and click on the arrow.
Then, you will find a web page with links to information about the Nobel Laureate.
Do you have a list of women Nobel Laureates?
Yes, see the list of Women Nobel Laureates »
Who is the youngest ever to receive a Nobel Prize, and who is the oldest?
The youngest Nobel Laureates at the time of the award, 10 December each year.
| Age | Name | Category/Year | Date of birth |
| 25 | Lawrence Bragg | Physics 1915 | 31 March 1890 |
| 31 | Werner Heisenberg | Physics 1932 | 5 December 1901 |
| 31 | Tsung-Dao Lee | Physics 1957 | 24 November 1926 |
| 31 | Carl D. Anderson | Physics 1936 | 3 September 1905 |
| 31 | Paul A. M. Dirac | Physics 1933 | 8 August 1902 |
| 32 | Frederick G. Banting | Medicine 1923 | 14 November 1891 |
| 32 | Rudolf Mössbauer | Physics 1961 | 31 January 1929 |
| 32 | Mairead Corrigan | Peace 1976 | 27 January 1944 |
| 33 | Joshua Lederberg | Medicine 1958 | 23 May 1925 |
| 33 | Betty Williams | Peace 1976 | 22 May 1943 |
| 33 | Rigoberta Menchú Tum | Peace 1992 | 9 January 1959 |
| 33 | Brian D. Josephson | Physics 1973 | 4 January 1940 |
The oldest Nobel Laureates at the time of the award, 10 December each year.
| Age | Name | Category/Year | Date of birth |
| 90 | Leonid Hurwicz | Economic Sciences 2007 | 21 August 1917 |
| 88 | Raymond Davis Jr. | Physics 2002 | 14 October 1914 |
| 88 | Doris Lessing | Literature 2007 | 22 October 1919 |
| 87 | Yoichiro Nambu | Physics 2008 | 18 January 1921 |
| 87 | Vitaly L. Ginzburg | Physics 2003 | 4 October 1916 |
| 87 | Peyton Rous | Medicine 1966 | 5 October 1879 |
| 87 | Joseph Rotblat | Peace 1995 | 4 November 1908 |
| 87 | Karl von Frisch | Medicine 1973 | 20 November 1886 |
| 85 | Ferdinand Buisson | Peace 1927 | 20 December 1841 |
| 85 | John B. Fenn | Chemistry 2002 | 15 June 1917 |
| 85 | Theodor Mommsen | Literature 1902 | 30 November 1817 |
| 85 | Willard S. Boyle | Physics 2009 | 19 August 1929 |
Youngest Nobel Laureates in their respective Nobel Prize areas
| Category | Name | Nobel Laureate |
|
| Physics | William Lawrence Bragg | ||
| Chemistry | Frédéric Joliot | ||
| Physiology or Medicine | Frederick Banting | ||
| Literature | Rudyard Kipling | ||
| Peace | Mairead Corrigan | ||
| Economic Sciences | Kenneth J. Arrow |
Oldest Nobel Laureates in their respective Nobel Prize areas
| Category | Name | Nobel Laureate |
|
| Physics | Raymond Davis Jr. | ||
| Chemistry | John B. Fenn | ||
| Physiology or Medicine | Peyton Rous | ||
| Literature | Doris Lessing | ||
| Peace | Joseph Rotblat | ||
| Economic Sciences | Leonid Hurwicz |
How many Laureates have been awarded the Nobel Prize?
From 1901 to 2009, a total of 829 Nobel Laureates have been awarded the Nobel Prize, comprising 806 Nobel Laureates and 23 organizations. Below is a breakdown of Nobel Laureates in each Prize category:
| Category | Number of Nobel Laureates |
| Physics | 187 |
| Chemistry | 157 |
| Physiology or Medicine | 195 |
| Literature | 106 |
| Peace | 97 |
| 23 organizations | |
| Economic Sciences | 64 |
| Total | 829 |
Two Nobel Laureates were honoured in different Prize categories — Marie Curie was awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics and the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and Linus Pauling was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize. Four other Nobel Laureates, two individuals and two organizations, received the Nobel Prize more than once in the same category. This makes a total of 802 individuals and 20 unique organizations who have received the Nobel Prize. See the following question for more details.
Which person or organization has received the Nobel Prize
more than once?
Marie Curie received the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, and the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry;
John Bardeen received the 1956 and the 1972 Nobel Prize
in Physics;
Frederick Sanger received the 1958 and the 1980 Nobel
Prize in Chemistry;
Comité International de la Croix Rouge received
the 1917, 1944 and 1963 Nobel Peace Prize;
Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees received the 1954 and the 1981 Nobel Peace Prize;
Linus Pauling received the 1954 Nobel
Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize.
Who is the only person to
have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes?
Linus Pauling was awarded
the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize.
Has the Nobel Prize been
given to more than one member of the same family?
Father and Son:
William Bragg – Lawrence Bragg
Niels Bohr – Aage N. Bohr
Hans von Euler-Chelpin – Ulf von Euler
Arthur Kornberg – Roger D. Kornberg
Manne Siegbahn – Kai M. Siegbahn
J. J. Thomson – George Paget Thomson
Father and Daughter:
Pierre Curie – Irène Joliot-Curie
Mother and Daughter:
Marie Curie – Irène Joliot-Curie
Married Couples:
Marie Curie – Pierre Curie
Irène Joliot-Curie – Frédéric Joliot
Gerty Cori – Carl Cori
Two Laureates of The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences
in Memory of Alfred Nobel have family members who have been awarded a Nobel
Prize; Gunnar
Myrdal, the husband of Alva
Myrdal, and Jan
Tinbergen, the brother of Nikolaas Tinbergen.
Could you give me the mailing address, e-mail address or fax number of a Nobel Laureate?
The Nobel Foundation does not disclose addresses to Nobel Laureates out of courtesy. Please contact the institution or university to which the Nobel Laureate was affiliated at the time of the award.
Are there any biographies of the Nobel Laureates?
All Nobel Laureates are presented with a biography, autobiography or
a CV in the Nobel Laureates section of each Nobel Prize category.
See, for example,
Alan G. MacDiarmid – Autobiography
The autobiographies and biographies were written at the time of the
award, either by the Nobel Laureate herself/himself or by an editor, and published
in the annually year book series Les
Prix Nobel. They were later republished
in the book series Nobel
Lectures, sometimes updated by an editor. The
Nobel Laureates themselves can update their material with an addendum.
How many times have Nobel Prizes been awarded?
The Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace have been awarded since 1901. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel has been awarded since 1969. During the period 1901-2009 a total of 537 prizes have been awarded. There have been a few years in which the Nobel Prize was not awarded, particularly during World War I and II. In the statutes of the Nobel Foundation it says: "If none of the works under consideration is found to be of the importance indicated in the first paragraph, the prize money shall be reserved until the following year. If, even then, the prize cannot be awarded, the amount shall be added to the Foundation's restricted funds."
| Category | Number of prizes | Years without a prize |
| Physics | 103 | 6 |
| Chemistry | 101 | 8 |
| Physiology or Medicine | 100 | 9 |
| Literature | 102 | 7 |
| Peace | 90 | 19 |
| Economic Sciences | 41 | 0 |
| Total | 537 |
Has anyone ever declined the Nobel Prize? Why?
Six Nobel Laureates have declined the Prize:
Richard Kuhn, the 1938 Nobel
Prize in Chemistry. He was "caused by the authorities of his country
to decline the award but later received the diploma and the medal";
Adolf Butenandt, the 1939
Nobel Prize in Chemistry, “Caused by the authorities of his country to decline the award but later received the diploma and the medal”;
Gerhard Domagk, the 1939 Nobel
Prize in Physiology or Medicine, “Caused by the authorities of his country to decline the award but later received the diploma and the medal”;
Boris Pasternak, the 1958
Nobel Prize in Literature, "Accepted first, later caused by the authorities of his country to decline the Prize";
Jean Paul Sartre, the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature, declined the Prize;
Le Duc Tho, the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, declined the Prize.
When and where will the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies take place
this year?
The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies
and Banquets take place in Stockholm (for the Nobel Prizes in
Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of
Alfred Nobel) and in Oslo (for the Nobel Peace Prize) on
December 10 every year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's
death. For more information on the Nobel Week, please see the
Award Ceremonies section.
Where can I find the Nobel Lectures and Speeches?
Nearly all Nobel Lectures and Speeches held at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony
and Banquet are available at this web site. (See, for example, Max
Planck's Nobel Lecture.) The Banquet Speeches are only available
in the language in which they were presented. (See, for example, speech
in French by Maire Curie). They are also available in the Nobel book
series
Les
Prix Nobel and/or Nobel
Lectures.
Are there any copyright restrictions to the use of texts, photos and graphics from this web site?
To all questions regarding copyright, please see Copyright Information.
I would like to request permission to use the Nobel name, the Nobel medals and/or Nobel insignias.
The Nobel Foundation is most restrictive in permitting the use of
these trademarks. For details, see Copyright
Information.
Can the Nobel Foundation sponsor our project?
Unfortunately, no. Every year the Nobel Foundation receives a great number of invitations to participate in or sponsor different projects, many of them deserving, indeed. Thus, the Foundation has maintained a very strict policy of not engaging in events that are not directly related to the work of the Nobel Foundation or of the Nobel Prize-Awarding Institutions.
Where can I get/buy Nobel Posters?
Contact the reception desk at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (reception@kva.se) to order Nobel Posters (chemistry and physics). They charge a distribution fee for orders larger than 10 pieces. Please observe that some back-volumes are out of stock. The most recent posters are also available in table mat size (A3). For medicine posters, contact secr@mednobel.ki.se.
Are there any plans to present Nobelprize.org in other languages?
We can only support a version in English for the time being.
I would like permission to make a link to Nobelprize.org.
You may create a link to any document on our server. You don't have to ask for permission, but we would appreciate it if you would let us know. However, the link must not place our page within your frameset or in any other way become a part of your documents.
You may not, without permission, include any image, or other material,
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URL on our server. For details see Copyright Information.
Would it be possible for you to place a link to our server?
The Nobel Foundation is very strict in its linking policy. However, all link proposals will be considered.
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