The Nobel Prize is a prestigious international award established by the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor best known for inventing dynamite. The prizes are awarded annually in several categories to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to humanity.
Categories:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Physiology or Medicine
- Literature
- Peace (awarded to individuals or groups advancing peace efforts)
- Economic Sciences (added in 1969 and officially called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel)
Key Facts:
- First awarded: 1901
- Awarding bodies: Various organizations, such as the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (for Physics, Chemistry, and Economics), Karolinska Institute (Medicine), and the Norwegian Nobel Committee (Peace Prize).
- Prize components: A gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award.
As of 2024, the Nobel Prizes have been awarded in six categories (Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences). Since their inception in 1901, here are some key cumulative statistics:
- Total prizes awarded: 981
- Total laureates: 1,012 individuals and organizations
- Prizes awarded to women: 66
- Youngest laureate: Malala Yousafzai, awarded the Peace Prize at age 17
- Oldest laureate: John B. Goodenough, awarded the Chemistry Prize at age 97
Breakdown by category (1901–2024):
- Physics: 118 prizes to 227 laureates
- Chemistry: 116 prizes to 197 laureates
- Physiology or Medicine: 115 prizes to 229 laureates
- Literature: 117 prizes to 121 laureates
- Peace: 105 prizes to 142 laureates (includes organizations)
- Economic Sciences: 56 prizes to 96 laureates
For the most recent updates and detailed lists of winners, you can visit NobelPrize.org or other resources like Nobelists.org
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