Almost a year before his death on November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel wrote in his will:
“... All capital must be deposited by my executors for safe keeping under surety and must form a fund; its purpose is the annual awarding of monetary prizes to those persons who, during the previous year, have managed to bring the greatest benefit to mankind.
What has been said about the appointment provides that the prize fund must be divided by five equal parts awarded as follows: one part to the person who makes the most important discovery or invention in the area of physics ; the second part - to the person who achieves the most important improvement or discovery in the area of chemistry; the third part - to the person who makes the most important discovery in the area of physiology or medicine ; the fourth part - to the person who in the area of literature will create an outstanding work of idealistic orientation; and finally, the fifth part - to the person who will make the greatest contribution into action strengthening the commonwealth of nations, in the elimination or reduction of the tension of the confrontation of the armed forces, as well as in the organization or assistance in holding congresses of peace-loving forces.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org
The Nobel Foundation is often criticized for its unwillingness to expand the circle of nominees. But Nobel's will says simply: he provided for awards only in five areas, which he defined as mandatory. The only exception is the award for achievements in the field of economics. It was in 1968 that the Swedish bank, which subsidized , on the occasion of its 300th anniversary, made a proposal for a prize in this area.
Well, what about the queen of sciences - - and the wife of Nobel? But nothing. The inventor of dynamite, according to numerous biographers, was not married, this story seems to be nothing more than fiction.
Little is known about the private life of Alfred Nobel.
At 43, he advertised in a Parisian newspaper, which said that a tired, middle-aged, educated man was looking for a secretary, housewife and translator all rolled into one. This person was the Austrian Berta Kinski. However, Bertha soon went back to and got married. They remained friends and corresponded until the end of Nobel's life. 
Photo: en.wikipedia.org
It is known that it was Bertha who persuaded Nobel to write the "Peace Prize" in her famous testament. Subsequently, in 1905, the Norwegian Storting presented this prize to her. 
Photo: en.wikipedia.org
However, Alfred Nobel did have hostile relations with the outstanding mathematician Mittag-Leffler (a foreign member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and later a foreign honorary member of the USSR Academy of Sciences). Perhaps this was the reason for the disgrace of the "queen of sciences".
In the FIELD of mathematics, as you know, the Nobel Prize is not awarded. Alfred Nobel bypassed this science in his historical testament. What mathematicians did not please Nobel?
The MOST popular version is personal motives. In numerous publications in the press, the most "favorite" story is that a mathematician stole a woman from Alfred Nobel (in some cases, his wife). True, with women - confusion. That is Sofia Kovalevskaya, who preferred her Swedish colleague, the mathematician Mittag-Leffler, to the Nobel. That is a completely different Sophie, but still cheating on Alfred with a mathematician. Or here's a wonderful story: allegedly at a theatrical premiere, where Nobel and his wife were present, a certain young man entered their box. Kissing the hand of his beautiful wife, the young man was so carried away that he did not notice how Nobel stepped on his foot. When the young man took his leave, the enraged Nobel asked: "I wonder what he does in his free time from flirting?" They answered him: "He is a mathematician, and quite famous." Nobel grinned and muttered: "Let's take it into account, we'll take it into account."
Scientists themselves consider such versions anecdotal. If only because Nobel was never officially married. The conflict between Mittag-Leffler and Nobel really took place. The first one actively helped the career of Sofya Kovalevskaya, ensuring that Stockholm University accepted a talented female mathematician for a professorship. Alfred Nobel, being one of the sponsors of the university, "wrapped up" this matter. Later, Mittag-Leffler persistently persuaded Nobel to sign off a significant part of his fortune to Stockholm University. This intrusiveness backfired. Annoyed, Nobel struck the university out of his will.
Stig Ramel, CEO of the Nobel Institute, gave his own version of the reason why mathematicians were away from the magnificent Nobel ceremonies: “You should not look for a hidden meaning why Nobel chose five specific areas of science for awarding. They simply express the content of his whole life. Nobel was a chemist, studied physics and medicine. He was very passionate about literature and participated in peace committees."
What do mathematicians themselves think about this? For comments, our correspondent turned to Mikhail Gromov, member of the French Academy of Sciences, permanent professor at the Institute for Higher Scientific Research (France), professor of mathematics at the Courant Institute of New York University:
It is enough to read the original will to understand the choice of Nobel. According to his will, the prize is awarded only in the experimental sciences and only for discoveries that have brought real, tangible benefits to mankind. For example, Albert Einstein, as you know, received the "Nobel Prize" not for the theory of relativity, but for the creation of a theory of the photoelectric effect that has practical significance. Nobel excluded from his will theoretical, speculative sciences, the results of which are objectively unverifiable. And mathematics is just such a purely speculative science.
Nobel himself invented dynamite. In terms of contribution to science - not a very important work, but it was of great practical use. But the famous and, perhaps, today's leading physicist Witten, who received the Fields Medal for scientific achievements, can hardly claim the Nobel Prize. Because the result of his work cannot currently be verified in an experiment. This is a vivid example of how the rules stipulated in the will are interpreted and observed.
And you, mathematicians, are not offended that your science was bypassed?
There are enough prestigious awards in mathematics. For example, the Fields Medal, established in 1936, the Abel Prize, the cash prize in which, by the way, is 750 thousand dollars. The Nobel Prize has more social than scientific significance. Thanks to a significant cash prize and a magnificent presentation ceremony, it is strongly promoted. The award reminds people of the importance of scientific discoveries. Having received a Nobel Prize, a scientist acquires enormous power in science, which is not always justified and proportional to talent and contribution to science. From this point of view, in my opinion, the level of Fields medals is higher.
Laureates 2005:
The size of each of the prizes, which were presented to the laureates on December 10, on the day of the death of Alfred Nobel, in the Concert House of Stockholm, King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, is 10 million Swedish kronor (1.1 million euros) this year.
The Economics Prize is the only one established after the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895. It was founded in 1968 by the Bank of Sweden on the occasion of his 300th birthday.
In his personal life, Nobel was unlucky
Alfred Nobel, a caring person who knew how to love and get carried away, was never happy in his personal life.
Beautiful Berta
IN THE EARLY 1876, Alfred Nobel advertised in one of the Austrian newspapers: "A wealthy and highly educated elderly gentleman living in Paris expresses a desire to hire a person of mature age with language training to work as a secretary and housekeeper." One of those who responded to the ad was 33-year-old Bertha Kinsky, who was working as a governess in Vienna at the time. She traveled to Paris for an interview and impressed Nobel with her good looks and education. But she did not work for him for very long and soon returned to Vienna and married the son of her former mistress. Becoming Baroness von Suttner, Bertha maintained friendly relations with Alfred Nobel for many years. They corresponded and discussed projects to preserve peace on earth. Berta became one of the leading figures in the struggle for peace on the European continent.
9 years after the death of Alfred Nobel, in 1905, Bertha von Suttner was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her book Down with Arms.
greedy flower girl
NOT POSSIBLE in good health, Nobel was often depressed. He traveled a lot, in particular - he went to the waters. He was very fond of visiting Baden bei Wien, a resort near Vienna, where he met the flower girl Sophie Hess. She was younger than him by more than 20 years. Nobel fell in love with a charming girl. The novel, which can hardly be called happy, lasted for many years. Nobel insisted that Sophie improve herself, learn languages, wanting to make a real lady out of her. But she was more interested in exclusive outfits and a luxurious life. The young "predator" extorted money and jewelry from her lover. He bought her a house in the Austrian Alps, rented an apartment in Paris. Alfred kept their relationship a secret. This time, "Pygmalion" was not lucky: he could not fashion his Galatea, and it all ended with Sophie's betrayal: in 1891, she gave birth to a daughter from a Hungarian officer.
Nobel parted with his girlfriend without scandal and even assigned her a decent allowance. But Sophie, already accustomed to exorbitant spending, constantly annoyed her with requests for additional amounts. When, after 4 years, she married the father of her child, her husband began to turn to Nobel with requests for "material assistance". And even after the death of the great scientist and her former lover, Sophie remained true to herself: she blackmailed Nobel's assistant, demanding a round sum for Alfred's letters and telegrams, otherwise she threatened to make them widely publicized.
One of the most prestigious awards for achievements in the field of culture, practical science, and the development of society is the Nobel Prize. The founder is the Swedish inventor, chemist Alfred Nobel. The scientist-engineer left the world many useful devices. But he became famous thanks to dynamite and a will, according to which people who brought "the maximum benefit to mankind" received awards every year.
Not all areas of science and culture were included in the list of nominations. Nobel clearly indicated in which areas to award awards. Until now, scientists and ordinary people are worried about the question: why do not they give the Nobel Prize to mathematicians. There is no opinion confirmed by historians. Therefore, there have been many theories, from anecdotal to probable.
Who gets the Nobel Prize and why?
Alfred Nobel was considered "the creator of death" during his lifetime. Therefore, according to historians, the inventor left a fortune to talented descendants. Not just pioneers in one area or another. And those individuals who have brought practical benefits to humanity.
Let's figure out who is given and who is not given the Nobel Prize.
History of the Nobel Prize
The creator of the Nobel Prize was born into a family of engineers. The sphere of vital interests is engineering, chemistry, inventions. Nobel received a significant share of his capital from his 355 inventions (the famous one is dynamite).
The great inventor lived for 63 years. Died of a cerebral hemorrhage. A year before his death, Alfred Nobel changed his will for the "benefit of mankind." When the will of the deceased was announced, numerous relatives demanded a refutation. But the Norwegian Storting approved the document.
The executors of the will organized the Nobel Foundation to carry out instructions, manage the fortune, and present prizes. The testator's movable and immovable property was converted into liquid assets. The collected capital was placed in a bank. Annually, income from investments is distributed to those persons who in the previous year "benefited humanity."
The rules for awarding the award are governed by the Foundation's Statute. The "significance and usefulness" of inventions is determined by the Nobel Committee.
Nominations
Alfred Nobel indicated in his will that the income from his assets is divided into 5 equal parts. The last will of the great inventor also contains a list of subject areas in which it is necessary to “look for” the most useful achievements. Since then, the prestigious award has been awarded in the following categories:
- discovery or invention in the field physics;
- improvement or useful discovery in the field chemistry;
- physiological or medical opening;
- literary idealistic work;
- promotion of peace unity of nations, the abolition of slavery.
The facilitator emphasized that nationality of applicants is not taken into account. The only condition is that the achievement must benefit humanity.
Mathematics Nobel bypassed in his will. But in some sources there is information that the subject was originally indicated. Later, the inventor crossed out science.
Why mathematicians were discriminated against
Mathematicians themselves believe that one cannot do without their science anywhere. Alfred Nobel forgot to mention the subject. I decided that along with physics and chemistry, it goes without saying. 
The townsfolk have a different explanation why the Nobel Prize in mathematics is not awarded. This is an abstract science that is not useful to everyone. What does humanity get from a new way of solving the most complex equation?.. Therefore, the subject was not included in the list of nominations.
In the press, jokes are “favorite” in which the decision of the founder of the Nobel Prize is explained by personal motives. Names of the proposed theories:
- Franco-American version. The Swedish mathematician Mittag-Leffler persistently courted the wife of Alfred Nobel. Moreover, the latter began to reciprocate the scientist, which offended the dignity of the inventor of dynamite. The founder of the award took revenge on his opponent by deleting “pseudo-science” from his will.
- Swedish version. There was a conflict between Nobel and Mittag-Leffler. And the reasons are not related to the betrayal of the testator's wife. The inventor understood that Leffler would get the prize in mathematics. After all, the latter is a leader in its field. Nobel did not allow this.
People also “love” the story about the theatre. A certain admirer allegedly kissed the hand of Nobel's wife Sophie so enthusiastically that he did not notice how he stepped on the unlucky spouse's foot. Later, Alfred found out that the suitor was a professor of mathematics.
Such versions in the scientific world are considered anecdotal. And there is official evidence of this. Alfred Nobel was not married. Mittag-Leffler existed. The Swedish mathematician sought to have a talented woman Sofya Kovalevskaya (in anecdotes - "wife") be admitted to Stockholm University for a professorship. And Nobel, as one of the sponsors, did not allow this.
Later, Leffler persuaded the inventor to leave part of the state to the university. The mathematician was overly persistent, which irritated Nobel. The scientist achieved nothing. It only angered the founder of the award: the latter deleted Stockholm University from his will.
Historians and scientists themselves have more plausible versions why the “Nobel for mathematicians” is not available:
- The founder of the award was engaged in life in chemistry, physics and medicine, was fond of literature. Served for the strengthening of peace. Participated in anti-slavery societies. Therefore, these five areas were included in the list of nominations.
- Nobel established a prize only for experimental sciences for those achievements that have brought real benefits to people.. Theoretical subjects were not included in the will. It is impossible to objectively evaluate their discoveries. Check the result experimentally - too.
Einstein's theory of relativity is of little use to mankind: the discovery is significant only for a certain circle of people. But his own theory of the photoelectric effect made a tangible contribution to the development of the whole society. Therefore, the scientist received a prestigious award for the latter.
How will they console themselves
Mathematicians themselves are not very offended that Nobel bypassed their science. The Nobel Prize is a socially significant award, with huge cash prizes and a magnificent ceremony. It is difficult to call it purely scientific. It is far from always that scientists who have made a tangible contribution to science rise to the podium. Their achievements are more important for society.
Mathematicians are awarded other prestigious prizes. And here the nominees are those who have made a huge contribution to mathematical science.
Fields Medal
The most prestigious award in the field of mathematics. The nominees receive a cash prize and a gold medal. Founder - John Fields, President of the VII International Mathematical Congress (1924). Awarded on a permanent basis since 1936 to 2-4 scientists.
Compare with the Nobel Prize.
The Fields Medal is known as the "Nobel Prize for Mathematicians". This emphasizes its prestige and importance in the mathematical world.
Abel Prize
Formally (but not in meaning) closer to the Nobel Prize is the Abel Prize. Awarded since 2003 at the initiative of the Norwegian government. Named after Niels Henrik Abel.
The winner of the Abel award is a scientist who has made a significant contribution to the development of mathematics (without reference to age). The value of the award is comparable to the value of the "Nobel Prize" (more than 1 million US dollars). Awarded annually.
The Nobel Prize is not available to mathematicians. The real reasons are hardly related to the personal motives of its founder. Mathematical discoveries have no practical significance. And this is one of the important conditions for obtaining a Nobel Prize.
Alfred Nobel bequeathed 94% of his fortune to the organization of the prize in five areas of knowledge that were of interest to him. Further, more about what the prize is awarded for, what Alfred Nobel is generally known for, and why there is no Nobel Prize in mathematics.
What is Alfred Nobel famous for?
Many people know Alfred Nobel only as the person whose name the prize is named after, which is awarded annually in several directions. This famous person was born in the first half of the nineteenth century, and died four years before his graduation. Alfred Nobel owns 355 different patents, his most famous invention being dynamite. This Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer and entrepreneur has also done charity work.
Alfred Nobel lived part of his life in Russia, from his youth he was fluent in four languages: English, German, French and Russian. After seven years of living in St. Petersburg, Alfred's father sent him to study in the United States, the Russian chemist Nikolai Zinin advised him to do so. Along the way, the young man visited several European countries, and when he arrived in the United States, he worked for the inventor John Ericsson, who designed the Monitor battleship, the Noverti locomotive and became the owner of several more patents. Nobel filed his first American patent for a gas meter in 1857, but the first patent he received was for determining how to make gunpowder (1863).
Upon returning to Russia, Alfred Nobel took up the affairs of a family firm that fulfilled orders for the Russian army. The Crimean War contributed to the prosperity of the company, but after it the factories could not return to normal production, and the family declared itself bankrupt. Nobel's parents returned to Sweden, and he devoted himself to the study of explosives. In 1863 he invented the detonator, in 1867 - dynamite. In total, he patented 355 inventions.
History of the establishment of the Nobel Prize
In 1888, when Nobel's brother died, newspapers mistakenly announced the death of Albert himself, and not his brother. When he read his own obituary "Dealer of Death" in a French newspaper, he seriously thought about how he would be remembered by mankind. After that, he decided to change his will.
Nobel's will assumed that all movable and immovable property of the compiler should be converted into monetary units, which should be placed in a reliable financial institution. All income should belong to a specially created fund, which will distribute it in the form of cash bonuses to those who have brought the greatest benefit to human society over the past year. It was his particular desire that the nationality of the candidate should not be taken into account when awarding prizes.
At first, the paper was received with skepticism. Relatives of Alfred Nobel called themselves offended and demanded that the document be officially recognized as illegal. The Nobel Foundation and the presentation of prizes were organized by the executors of his will - the secretary R. Sulman and the lawyer R. Lilekvist. Later, separate institutions were identified, which were engaged in the awarding of individual prizes. When the Swedish-Norwegian Union was terminated, the Norwegian Committee became responsible for awarding the peace prize, and the organizations of Sweden - for the rest.
Rules for awarding the prize to them. A. Nobel
The statute of the Nobel Foundation determines the rules for awarding the prize. Only individuals can be nominated, not organizations (except for the Peace Prize, which can be awarded to both individuals and official organizations). In one year, one or two discoveries in the same field may be encouraged, but the number of laureates should not exceed three. The rule was officially added in 1968, but in fact it has always been followed.
What is the Nobel Prize for? For outstanding discoveries in five areas: physics, chemistry, medicine and physiology, literature, promoting peace in the world.
Between several candidates, the monetary reward is divided in this way: first in equal parts between the works, then according to the same principle between their authors. For example, if two discoveries are awarded, then the allocated money is first divided by two. The first work has two authors - half is divided once again equally, and the second - one - half is awarded to him.
Also, the award should not be awarded posthumously. But if the laureate was alive when the Nobel Prize was awarded, but was taken to another world before the ceremony, then the prize is retained by him. This rule came into effect in 1974. Until that moment, the Nobel Prize had been awarded posthumously twice: Dag Hammarskjöld (by the way, he was the first to refuse the prize during his lifetime, citing the fact that he held a position in the Nobel Committee, and that he was little known outside of Sweden) and Eric Karlfeldt, the winner of the 1961 Peace Prize of the year. According to the approved rule, the award was retained by William Vickrey. Only once did the Nobel Committee deviate from the rule by awarding Ralph Steiman posthumously, since at the time of the nomination the committee considered him alive.
If the members of the Nobel Committee in the current year did not find worthy candidates, the prize may not be awarded. In this case, the funds are kept until next year.
Areas in which awards are given
Alfred Nobel indicated in his will that the interest from the contribution must be divided into 5 equal parts, which are intended:
- the one who makes the most important discovery or invention in the field of physics;
- one who makes an improvement or an important discovery in the field of chemistry;
- one who makes a discovery in the field of physiology or medicine;
- the one who will create the most outstanding literary work;
- the one who will make the most important contribution to the rallying of nations, the reduction of armies, the abolition of slavery, the promotion of peace conferences.
So Alfred Nobel determined what to give the Nobel Prize for.
But Nobel refused the prize to famous mathematicians. When asked why there is no Nobel Prize in mathematics, he himself could not answer, since the will (as it should) was made public after his departure to another world. Be that as it may, the inventor and entrepreneur provided for awards in only five areas.
Why there is no Nobel Prize in mathematics has been asked before, but the committee is not going to expand the list of prizes, for which it has been criticized more than once. Its representatives answer that since only five directions were allocated in the will of the founder of the award, it means that they will give awards in five. No more, no less.
Russian Nobel Prize winners
The list of Russian laureates includes persons who, at the time of awarding the prize, had the citizenship of Russia, the USSR, the Russian Empire, regardless of their real nationality at that time. The first Nobel Prize winner from Russia was I. Pavlov for his discoveries in the physiology of the digestive system. I. Mechnikov (for works on immunity), I. Bunin (Nobel Prize in Literature), N. Semenov (chemistry), B. Pasternak (literature), P. Cherenkov, I. Tamm and I. Frank (physics), L. Landau (physics), N. Basov, A. Prokhorov (physics), M. Sholokhov (literature), A. Solzhenitsyn (literature), A. Sakharov (peace prize) and others.
Why there is no Nobel Prize in Mathematics
But still, the Nobel Prize in mathematics is not awarded. Why is there no Nobel Prize in Mathematics? Alfred Nobel noted in his will that he chose all disciplines after a balanced and deliberate analysis. But the train of thought of the inventor and entrepreneur remained unknown.
The most likely version of why mathematicians are not awarded the Nobel Prize is the following fact: Nobel insisted that inventions should give real benefits to all mankind, and mathematics is still an exclusively theoretical science. After all, most of the population doesn't care if Fermat's Theorem is proven or not. But if the queen of sciences is applied to physics or chemistry, outstanding scientists are awarded precisely in these disciplines.
Versions related to private life
There is also a version that Alfred Nobel's wife allegedly cheated on him with a mathematician. It was for this that the scientist became angry with the queen of sciences and did not add her to the will. In fact, Nobel was not married at all, and this is just a catchy explanation. At forty-three, he advertised in the newspaper that he was looking for a housewife, translator and secretary all rolled into one. Bertha Kinsky responded to the ad. But soon she left for Austria and got married, and relations with Alfred remained exceptionally friendly.
By the way, it was Bertha Kinski who advised Nobel to include the Peace Prize in his will. Later, the Nobel Foundation presented this prize to her.
Another version is Alfred Nobel's dislike for the mathematician Mittag-Leffler. Then it was he who was one of the most likely contenders for the first prize. The reasons for the hostility are not exactly known. Some sources claim that Mittag-Leffler tried to woo Nobel's fiancee, others that he annoyingly demanded donations to Stolkholm University. It can be assumed that this was also the reason for the exclusion of the queen of sciences from their list.
"Ghosts" of the Nobel Prize in Mathematics
Although the Nobel Prize in mathematics is not awarded, there are several awards that replace it. The equivalents are the Fields Medal, the Abel Prize, and the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economics.
The Nobel Prize (Swedish Nobelpriset, English Nobel Prize) is one of the most prestigious international prizes awarded annually for outstanding scientific research, revolutionary inventions or a major contribution to culture or society.
Story
On November 27, 1895, in Paris, Alfred Nobel signed the latest version of his famous will, according to which most of his fortune should go to the creation of a foundation and the establishment of a prize to encourage pioneers in the field of physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, as well as writers and those who are more did everything for peace in the previous year, regardless of nationality. The prizes in the field of science and literature were supposed to be awarded in Sweden, and the peace prize - in Norway. From this will began the history of the Nobel Prize, the fund of which amounted to 31 million crowns.
Nobel Prizes have been awarded annually (since 1901) for outstanding work in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine and physiology, and economics (since 1969), for literary works, and for efforts to strengthen peace.
The awarding of Nobel Prizes is entrusted to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm (for physics, chemistry, economics), the Royal Karolinska Institute of Medicine and Surgery in Stockholm (for physiology or medicine) and the Swedish Academy in Stockholm (for literature); In Norway, the Nobel Committee of Parliament awards the Nobel Peace Prizes. Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously.
The first Nobel Banquet took place on December 10, 1901, at the same time as the first award ceremony. Currently, the banquet is held in the Blue Hall of the City Hall. 1300-1400 people are invited to the banquet. Dress code - tailcoats and evening dresses. The chefs of the Town Hall Cellar (town hall restaurant) and chefs who have ever received the title of Chef of the Year are involved in the development of the menu. In September, three menu options are tasted by members of the Nobel Committee, who decide what will be served "at the Nobel table." Always known only dessert - ice cream. And then until the evening of December 10, no one, except for a narrow circle of initiates, knows what kind.
The Nobel Concert is one of the three components of the Nobel Week, along with the awarding of prizes and the Nobel Dinner. It is considered one of the main musical events of the year in Europe and the main musical event of the year in the Scandinavian countries. The most prominent classical musicians of our time take part in it. The Nobel Concert is broadcast on several international TV channels on December 31 every year. According to Nobel's will, the prize was to be awarded for discoveries, inventions and achievements made in the year of the award. This provision is de facto not respected.
Prize Rules
The main document regulating the rules for awarding the prize is the statute of the Nobel Foundation.
The Prize can only be awarded to individuals and not to institutions (other than Peace Prizes). The Peace Prize can be awarded both to individuals and to official and public organizations.
According to § 4 of the statute, one or two works can be promoted at the same time, but the total number of awardees should not exceed three. Although this rule was introduced only in 1968, it has always been de facto observed. At the same time, the monetary reward is divided among the laureates as follows: the prize is first divided equally between the works, and then equally between their authors. Thus, if two different discoveries are awarded, one of which was made by two, then the latter receive 1/4 of the monetary part of the prize. And if one discovery is awarded, which was made by two or three, everyone receives equally (1/2 or 1/3 of the prize, respectively).
It also states in § 4 that the prize cannot be awarded posthumously. However, if the applicant was alive at the time of the announcement of the award to him (usually in October), but died before the award ceremony (December 10 of the current year), then the award remains with him. This rule was adopted in 1974, and before that the prize had been awarded posthumously twice: to Erik Karlfeldt in 1931 and to Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961. However, in 2011, the rule was broken when, by decision of the Nobel Committee, Ralph Steinman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine posthumously, since at the time of the award, the Nobel Committee considered him alive.
According to § 5 of the statute, the prize may not be awarded at all to anyone if the members of the relevant committee have not found worthy works among those put forward for competition. In this case, the prize funds are kept until the next year. If the next year the prize was not awarded, the funds are transferred to the closed reserve of the Nobel Foundation.
What amount are we talking about?
At the time of Alfred Nobel's death, the prize was over SEK 31 million. At the moment, the capital of the Nobel Prize Fund is estimated at about 500 million US dollars.
Why is there no Nobel Prize in Mathematics?
Mathematicians themselves believe that one cannot do without their science anywhere. Alfred Nobel forgot to mention the subject. I decided that along with physics and chemistry, it goes without saying.
The townsfolk have a different explanation why the Nobel Prize in mathematics is not awarded. This is an abstract science that is not useful to everyone. What does humanity get from a new way of solving the most complex equation?.. Therefore, the subject was not included in the list of nominations.
In the press, jokes are “favorite” in which the decision of the founder of the Nobel Prize is explained by personal motives. Names of the proposed theories:
- Franco-American version. The Swedish mathematician Mittag-Leffler persistently courted the wife of Alfred Nobel. Moreover, the latter began to reciprocate the scientist, which offended the dignity of the inventor of dynamite. The founder of the award took revenge on his opponent by deleting “pseudo-science” from his will.
- Swedish version. There was a conflict between Nobel and Mittag-Leffler. And the reasons are not related to the betrayal of the testator's wife. The inventor understood that Leffler would get the prize in mathematics. After all, the latter is a leader in its field. Nobel did not allow this.
People also “love” the story about the theatre. A certain admirer allegedly kissed the hand of Nobel's wife Sophie so enthusiastically that he did not notice how he stepped on the unlucky spouse's foot. Later, Alfred found out that the suitor was a professor of mathematics.
Such versions in the scientific world are considered anecdotal. And there is official evidence of this. Alfred Nobel was not married. Mittag-Leffler existed. The Swedish mathematician sought to have a talented woman Sofya Kovalevskaya (in anecdotes - "wife") be admitted to Stockholm University for a professorship. And Nobel, as one of the sponsors, did not allow this.
Later, Leffler persuaded the inventor to leave part of the state to the university. The mathematician was overly persistent, which irritated Nobel. The scientist achieved nothing. It only angered the founder of the award: the latter deleted Stockholm University from his will.
Historians and scientists themselves have more plausible versions why the “Nobel for mathematicians” is not available:
- The founder of the award was engaged in life in chemistry, physics and medicine, was fond of literature. He fought for the strengthening of peace. Participated in anti-slavery societies. Therefore, these five areas were included in the list of nominations.
- Nobel established a prize only for experimental sciences for those achievements that have brought real benefits to people. Theoretical subjects were not included in the will. It is impossible to objectively evaluate their discoveries. Check the result experimentally - too.
Einstein's theory of relativity is of little use to mankind: the discovery is significant only for a certain circle of people. But his own theory of the photoelectric effect made a tangible contribution to the development of the whole society. Therefore, the scientist received a prestigious award for the latter.
What will comfort them?
Mathematicians themselves are not very offended that Nobel bypassed their science. The Nobel Prize is a socially significant award, with huge cash prizes and a magnificent ceremony. It is difficult to call it purely scientific. It is far from always that scientists who have made a tangible contribution to science rise to the podium. Their achievements are more important for society.
Mathematicians are awarded other prestigious prizes. And here the nominees are those who have made a huge contribution to mathematical science.
Fields Medal
The most prestigious award in the field of mathematics. The nominees receive a cash prize and a gold medal. Founder - John Fields, President of the VII International Mathematical Congress (1924). Awarded on a permanent basis since 1936 to 2-4 scientists.
Abel Prize
Formally (but not in meaning), the Abel Prize is closer to the Nobel Prize. Awarded since 2003 at the initiative of the Norwegian government. Named after Niels Henrik Abel.
The winner of the Abel award is a scientist who has made a significant contribution to the development of mathematics (without reference to age). The value of the award is comparable to the value of the "Nobel Prize" (more than 1 million US dollars). Awarded annually.
The Nobel Prize is not available to mathematicians. The real reasons are hardly related to the personal motives of its founder. Mathematical discoveries have no practical significance. And this is one of the important conditions for obtaining a Nobel Prize.
When were the first Nobel Prizes awarded?
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. Nobel allocated 94% of his fortune to the prize fund. His will was contested by family members and was later approved by the Swedish government.
How many people have won the Nobel Prize?
The Nobel Prize has been awarded 567 times. However, on several occasions more than one nominee received it. In total, 860 people and 22 organizations became laureates.
Have there been years when the Nobel Prize was not awarded?
Were. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has not been awarded 49 times. Most of the prizes not awarded fall on the years of the First (1914-1918) and Second (1939-1945) World Wars. In addition, the statutes of the Nobel Prize Fund state that if “… none of the works is of sufficient importance, the prize money must be set aside until next year. If there are no worthy discoveries for the second year in a row, then the funds will go to the fund.”
In what areas are the most commonly awarded Nobel Prizes?
The Nobel Prizes in physics were most often awarded for discoveries in particle physics, in chemistry for discoveries in biochemistry, in medicine for discoveries in genetics, in economics for discoveries in macroeconomics, and in literature for discoveries in prose.
What countries have won the most Nobel laureates?
In first place is the United States of America with 257 laureates. On the second - Great Britain with 93, on the third - Germany with 80. Russia has 27 laureates. According to the rules of the Nobel Committee, this does not include people, for example, those born in Russia or the USSR, but who made discoveries in another country. Or writers who wrote in Russian, but by that time were citizens of other countries, for example, Ivan Bunin in 1933 or Joseph Brodsky in 1987.
At what age do they become Nobel Prize winners?
In very different ways: Malala Yousafzai became the youngest laureate last year. She received the Peace Prize at the age of only 17. The oldest was 90-year-old Leonid Gurvich, who received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2007.
Are there women among the winners?
Yes, although they are in the minority. In total, women received awards 47 times. And only one of them - Marie Curie - received it twice: once in physics, the other in chemistry. So in total, 46 women became Nobel Prize winners.
Was it so that the Nobel Prize was refused voluntarily?
Of course. But only twice: French writer Jean-Paul Sartre refused the Literature Prize in 1964 because he did not recognize official awards at all. And the Vietnamese politician Le Duc Tho refused the Peace Prize in 1973, saying that he did not consider it possible to accept it because of the situation in the country.
What about forced?
It was like that. Adolf Hitler banned three scientists: the chemist Richard Kuhn, the biochemist Adolf Butenandt and the bacteriologist Gerhard Domagk from accepting the prize. Later, they were able to receive medals and diplomas, but not prize money.
The Soviet poet and writer Boris Pasternak initially agreed to accept the Nobel Prize, but then, under pressure from the authorities, refused it.
And posthumously?
Yes and no. The status of the Nobel Foundation determines that the prize can only be awarded to a living person. However, if at the time of the announcement of the result he was still alive, but had already died by the time the prize was awarded, then he is still considered a Nobel laureate. In 2011, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Ralph Steinman. After the announcement of the result, it turned out that he had already died three days ago. After a meeting of the board of the Nobel Committee, it was decided to leave him on the list of laureates, because the Nobel Commission of the Royal Karolinska Institute did not know about his death at the time of the decision.
Were there family Nobel Prizes?
And how! And the greatest contribution to this small list was made by the Joliot-Curie family. The following family laureates came out of it: two married couples: Marie and Pierre Curie and Irene Joliot-Curie and Frederic Joliot, mother and daughter: Marie Curie and Irene Joliot-Curie, and father and daughter: Pierre Curie and Irene Joliot Curie.
