The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually to people (and, in the case of the Peace Prize, sometimes to organisations) who have completed outstanding research, invented ground-breaking techniques or equipment, or made an outstanding contribution to society in physics, chemistry, literature, peace, medicine or physiology and economics. They are widely regarded as the supreme commendation in their respective subject areas. Those honoured are known as Nobel Laureates. The Prizes were instituted by the Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel through his will. They were first awarded in 1901, five years after Nobel’s death. The prize in economics, instituted by the Bank of Sweden, has been awarded since 1969. As of September 2007, a total of 799 Nobel Prizes have been awarded, 777 to individuals (33 of these to women), 20 to organizations and 2 were awarded in different categories.
Prize Categories
Prize Category | 2009 winners |
Physiology and Medicine | Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak |
Physics | Charles K. Kao, Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith |
Chemistry | Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath |
Literature | Herta Müller |
Peace | Barack Obama |
Economics | Elinor Ostrom and Oliver E. Williamson |
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