Alfred Nobel | 1833 - 1896
Stockholm, Sweden
Alfred Nobel was born on October 21, 1833, in Stockholm, Sweden. Son of Immanuel Nobel, an engineer and inventor, and Andriette Ahlsell Nobel, Alfred was the fourth of eight siblings, only four of whom survived to adulthood. The Nobel family moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Alfred's father started a prosperous engineering business.
Alfred Nobel is best known for the invention of dynamite in 1867, an explosive that was much safer to handle than previous explosives. This invention revolutionized the construction and mining industries, but also raised concerns about its use in armed conflicts. Nobel accumulated great wealth from his inventions and patents, but he was distressed by the destructive potential of his work.
In 1888, the misreading of an obituary about his death, which called him the "merchant of death", deeply impacted Nobel. This motivated him to change his legacy. In his will, he left the majority of his fortune to the creation of the Nobel Prizes, designed to recognize those who have contributed significantly to humanity in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Peace.
The first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901, and since then, these awards have become a global symbol of excellence and dedication to human progress. Nobel also contributed to the field of literature and philanthropy, writing poetry and plays, and supporting educational and scientific initiatives.
Alfred Nobel died on December 10, 1896, in San Remo, Italy, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and reward efforts that improve the world.
