Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) was a Swedish chemical engineer and the inventor of dynamite and other explosives. He developed dynamite to help make mining safer. Nobel took keen interest in social problems, and his dream and motivation were to be of service to mankind. After Nobel’s death, his will was opened stating that his fortune be used for prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology and Peace. In 1900, the Nobel Foundation was established and statutes were adopted to create the Nobel Prizes.
The Nobel Peace Prize became an extension and a fulfillment of Alfred Nobel’s lifetime interests. It is awarded is awarded annually to the individual or group who has “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
For more detailed information about the Nobel Peace Prize download the “Introduction to the Peace Prize” lesson on the Teach Peace Webpage or visit the Norwegian Nobel Committee Webpage at: www.Nobel.no or http://nobelprize.org/.
American Recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize
Twenty one (21) individuals and three (3) groups from United States have won the Nobel Peace Prize, about one quarter of the total number awarded. The mission of the Nobel Peace Laureate Project is to honor our countrymen who have been recognized internationally for their contributions to world peace, and to inspire future peacemakers with examples of how the Peace Laureates contributed to a more peaceful world.
Below is a list of United States of America Peace Laureates. Click on the name of a laureate to access the page describing the individual’s accomplishments along with “.pdf” files that are structured as lessons for classroom instruction.
