Alfred Nobel, for whom the Nobel Prize is named, was a Swedish inventor and descendant of Olof Rudbeck, the best-known technological genius in Sweden in the 17th century.

Nobel spoke several languages fluently, wrote poetry and drama, and held radical views on social and peace-related issues. In his will, Nobel left the bulk of his vast estate to the establishment of Nobel Prizes. There are five prizes awarded, for excellence in physical science, chemistry, and medical science; for literature “in an ideal direction”; and for work toward the promotion of peace.