BlogEvery year on December 10, five prizes are awarded to “those who have benefited mankind” in areas such as physics, medicine, literature, chemistry, economics, and peace. The recipients of the award, known as “laureates” receive a monetary award (around $1.4 million in 2022) and a gold medal with the image of Alfred Nobel engraved on the front.
Let’s take a little tour and learn about the man who created the famous awards, and some remarkable recipients of the recognition.
Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, a powerful explosive he intended to be used for mining and industrial purposes, but was quickly modified for wartime purposes. His inventions made him incredibly wealthy, and when he died he established the awards as a legacy, perhaps in an effort to do some good to outweigh the bad caused by his invention of dynamite.
Alfred Nobel was born in present-day Sweden, but he spent time all across Europe, and even lived in America. But after living in Paris for years, he moved to San Remo, Italy, where he spent the last five years of his life. Here, in his mansion, he died on December 10, 1896.
The home is being converted to a museum dedicated to the scientist.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie is one of the most influential and important scientists, and she is the only person to receive a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields: both chemistry and physics. She and her husband Pierre studied radiation, its uses and effects. She and Pierre, and another scientist, were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1903. Later, after Pierre was killed in an accident, Marie was again given the award in 1911.
Marie continued to study radium until her death, demonstrating an unyielding devotion to science and the pursuit of knowledge. The University of Paris, where she and her husband taught and researched, created the Curie Institute for Marie in 1911.
On the bottom floor of the main building is a museum where people can come to learn more about the radioactive element and the revolutionary woman who devoted her life to its study.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama made history when he was elected the first Black president of the United States. Shortly after, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace, for his work to “strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”. It was a remarkable honor for the new president, and not without some controversy.
After serving two terms in office, Obama and his family moved to a residence in the popular Kalorama area of Washington, D.C. The family may either rent or own the nine-bedroom 100 year old mansion. The home has been completely updated and upgraded, and is a great place for the family to live.
Bob Dylan
Another American laureate is folk singer Bob Dylan. No, there’s not an award for music; Dylan was awarded the Literature prize for “having created new poetic expression within the great American song tradition”.
Dylan is one of the most successful artists of all time, with a net worth of more than $450 million. But he still lives in a home he bought in 1979 for $106,000! He has bought several neighboring properties and expanded the main home so that it’s at least 6,000 square feet. The quirky musician does have a little shack on his property, which he might visit when he needs to take a step back and away from the busy life of a celebrity.
Rudyard Kipling
While you may not recognize his name, you’re certainly familiar with the works of Rudyard Kipling. The creative English author wrote The Jungle Book and many other fanciful childhood stories. Raised in India, he incorporated the stories and images from the subcontinent in his stories. He was awarded the Nobel prize in Literature in 1907.
He lived a fairly transient lifestyle, moving every two or three years, until 1902, when he and his family settled down in East Sussex, in a 15th century mansion. By then he was a famed author, labeled the poet of the empire, and given many awards and accolades, including the Nobel Prize.
Kipling wrote magical tales, but also highlighted political and social problems, and his life was not without struggle, too. He was abused as a child by a nanny, suffered through the childhood death of his firstborn, and like so many, had a son die in World War I.
The Kipling home was donated to the government, and is maintained as a historical structure.
The Nobel Prize serves as a way to remind ourselves that the good in humanity can always outweigh the bad, if we allow it, and if we know where to look.
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