Alfred Nobel and His Controversial Will

Alfred Nobel, born in Stockholm in 1833, was one of four brothers. Following in the footsteps of his inventor father, Immanuel Nobel, he initially pursued studies in chemical engineering, even though his true passion lay in literature and poetry. During his studies, he encountered a scientist who developed nitroglycerin, a volatile chemical not yet suitable for practical use. Nobel, with his inventive spirit, collaborated with his father to refine this explosive, ultimately creating dynamite, although not without tragic accidents that claimed lives, including that of his brother Emil.

Nobel composed several wills throughout his life, but the final one, which established the highly esteemed Nobel Prize, is of particular interest. He allocated 94% of his estate—amounting to $198 million—to fund the prize, which he intended to reward individuals who had made significant contributions to humanity.

“distributed annually as prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”

Nobel specifically earmarked five fields for recognition: physics, chemistry, medicine or physiology, literature, and peace advocacy.

Fun Fact: In his will, Nobel requested that his arteries be "severed" and that he only be cremated once doctors confirmed his death.

Upon his death in 1896, it took four years for his executors to persuade his family and others to honor his wishes, culminating in the first Nobel Prizes being awarded in 1901. Additionally, the Nobel Prize has expanded to include economic sciences, established in 1968 by Sweden's central bank in Nobel's memory.

The Selection Process for Nobel Laureates

The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually, with the recipient announced in October. Strong connections within literary circles are crucial, as candidates are proposed by members of the Academy, literary societies, professors, former laureates, and heads of writers' organizations. Without recognition from these influential figures, a candidate is unlikely to be considered.

Each year, the committee reaches out to these experts, receiving approximately 300 to 350 nominations, all due by February 1. Following this, the Swedish Academy evaluates the nominees, shortlisting about 20 by April and narrowing it down to five by May. The ensuing months are dedicated to a thorough examination of the shortlisted authors, culminating in the announcement in October.

Further rules, facts, and limitations: - Universal Eligibility: All individuals are eligible for the Nobel Prize, regardless of language, race, gender, or age. - Language Expertise: The Swedish Academy is proficient in 13 languages but consults experts for nominees writing in lesser-known languages. - Nomination Requirements: A candidate must be nominated at least twice and have published work in the previous year, although this rule is occasionally waived. - Living Candidates: Since 1974, candidates must be alive at the time of announcement to receive the award, with Erik Axel Karlfeldt being the only posthumous laureate in 1931. - Shared Awards: Up to three laureates can be honored in a single year, with the cash prize divided among them (though only two shared literature prizes had been awarded as of 2019). - Prize Components: The Nobel Prize winner receives a gold medal, a diploma with a citation, and a cash award, which has been around $1,100,000 since 2012. - Judges' Rules: The committee comprises 18 judges who previously could not resign; however, recent rule changes now allow for resignations after two years of inactivity.

How Alfred Nobel’s Will Has Evolved Over Time

Nobel’s final will was somewhat ambiguous, stating that prizes should be given to those who have “conferred the greatest benefit on humankind” and, specifically for literature, to those whose work is “in an ideal direction.” This vagueness has led to varying interpretations by the Nobel Prize committee over the years.

1. Sound Idealism (1901–1912): Characterized by Carl David af Wirsén, this conservative idealism led to awards for authors like Bjornson and Kipling, while critics lamented the omission of figures like Tolstoy and Ibsen.
2. Neutrality During WWI: The committee favored writers from non-combatant nations, leading to numerous Scandinavian winners.
3. The Great Style (1920s): This period saw a shift towards classic literary styles, with the committee redefining “ideal direction” as “wide-hearted humanity,” bringing recognition to authors previously overlooked.
4. Universal Interest (1930s): The focus shifted to writers whose works had broad appeal, resulting in accolades for figures such as Sinclair Lewis and Pearl Buck.
5. Pioneers Post-WWII (1946-): In response to the war, the Academy began to reward innovative writers introducing new styles and techniques, with laureates like William Faulkner and T.S. Eliot receiving honors.
6. Unknown Masters (1978-): This interpretation aimed to highlight overlooked writers, resulting in awards for authors like Isaac Bashevis Singer.
7. Global Literature (1986-): The committee sought to rectify the disproportionate number of European laureates by awarding writers from various continents, including Wole Soyinka and Nadine Gordimer.

Noteworthy Concerns

Many authors have expressed frustration at the Nobel Committee's tendency to overlook genre fiction, even as some laureates, like Doris Lessing, have ventured into this territory.

The Controversies and Criticism

Like any institution, the Nobel Prize Committee has faced criticism for its decisions. There are claims that the Academy has shown favoritism toward Scandinavian authors and has been influenced by political bias in its selections.

The Politics of Awarding Literature: Critics argue that the Nobel Prize in Literature has evolved into a politically motivated award. The committee has openly acknowledged that political considerations influence their choices, which raises questions about whether literary merit should be tied to an author's political stance.

Nobel himself insisted that nationality should not influence prize decisions, emphasizing the importance of merit over geographical considerations. Despite this, discussions about alleged biases persist.

Final Thoughts

No panel can definitively determine who has had the most beneficial influence on humanity or who embodies the essence of idealism. The true worth of an author’s contributions can only be measured over time. As history has shown, many will remember Tolstoy and Zola long after Bjornson and Heyse fade from collective memory. A genuine writer creates not for accolades but out of an intrinsic need to express themselves. Jean-Paul Sartre poignantly remarked after declining the Nobel Prize:

“A writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution, even if it takes place in the most honorable form.”

For further insights into the distinctions between genre and literary fiction, you can explore the following article: