The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious awards given to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. The award is named after Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor. The Nobel Prize is always presented to living recipients, except in rare cases where it is awarded posthumously.
What is a Posthumous Nobel Prize?
A posthumous Nobel Prize is an award given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their field but has passed away before the award was announced. In such cases, the Nobel committee can still decide to award the prize to the deceased individual. However, the rules for posthumous awards are different from those for living recipients.
Rules for Posthumous Nobel Prizes
The Nobel committee has specific rules for posthumous awards. According to these rules, a person can only be awarded a posthumous Nobel Prize if they pass away after the announcement of the award but before they receive it. The award can only be given for work that was completed prior to the recipient's death. Additionally, the committee must be convinced that the work is of exceptional merit and has had a significant impact on society.
Examples of Posthumous Nobel Prizes
There have been several instances where the Nobel Prize has been awarded posthumously. One of the most famous examples is Dag Hammarskjöld, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, after his death in a plane crash while on a peace mission in Africa. Another example is Erik Axel Karlfeldt, a Swedish poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1931, two years after his death.
Controversies Surrounding Posthumous Nobel Prizes
Posthumous Nobel Prizes have been the subject of controversy over the years. Some argue that the award is meaningless since the recipient is no longer alive to receive it. Others contend that the award serves as a way to recognize the contributions of individuals who have made significant contributions to society but were not recognized during their lifetime.
Conclusion
While posthumous Nobel Prizes are not common, they do occur in cases where the individual has made an outstanding contribution to their field. Although there have been controversies surrounding posthumous awards, many believe that they serve as a way to recognize the contributions of individuals who may have been overlooked during their lifetime.