The First Nobel Prize

In 1901, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded. In 1895 Swedish philanthropist Alfred Nobel designated in his will that his fortune should be used to establish the prizes. The first prizes in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace were first awarded on this date in 1901 by the king of Sweden. Each recipient, or laureate, receives a gold medal, a diploma and a cash prize, whose amount is decided by the Nobel Foundation each year. 

Books in our collection

Pioneers of science: Nobel prize winners in physics  by Robert Weber  and J M A Lenihan

The who's who of Nobel Prize winners 1901 - 1995  by Bernard Schlessinger and June Schlessinger

The politics of excellence: behind the Nobel Prize in science  by Robert Marc Friedman