Harvard University Latest COVID Information Search Menu Meet our Nobel Laureates The Nobel Prize in Physics 1965 given to Julian Schwinger, housed at the Harvard Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments HARVARD HISTORY NOBEL LAUREATES Harvard’s Laureates in Economic Science More Harvard’s Nobel Laureates Established in 1895 by the Swedish chemist and inventor of dynamite Alfred Bernhard Nobel, the Nobel Prize is an annual award acknowledging outstanding contributions to physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. Many Harvard faculty have been honored with this prestigious award. Physics A pioneering theoretical physicist from the dawn of the atomic age, Roy Glauber updated the theory of the nature of light from its origins in the 19th century to include modern quantum principles. He helped explain how light can travel in the form of quanta (particles) as well as rays or waves. See all of our physics laureates Chemistry A die-hard Red Sox fan, Dudley Herschbach describes his research by pitching baseball metaphors. “Think of a crowd at a baseball game. In ordinary chemistry, you have to deal with the whole crowd at once. … In effect, what we’ve done is eavesdrop on conversations between molecules, as if listening to a pair of people in that crowd.” See all of our chemistry laureates Medicine Linda Buck received the Nobel Prize for work relating to the sense of smell, which the Nobel committee noted had “long remained the most enigmatic of our senses. The basic principles for recognizing and remembering about 10,000 different odours were not understood.” See all of our medicine laureates Literature Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize in Literature for “poetic works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past.” See all of our literature laureates Peace Henry J. Cadbury proposed the formation of the American Friends Service Committee—a Quaker relief organization—in order to spearhead relief activities in Europe after World War I, and offer Quakers and young conscientious objectors “a service of love in wartime.” See all of our peace laureates Economic Sciences Much of Amartya Sen’s work deals with development economics, which is often devoted to the welfare of the poor. He has developed new ways to predict and fight famine as well as ways to measure poverty, so that more effective social programs can be designed. See all of our economic sciences laureates In the room where it happened See the reactions of Harvard Professors Oliver Hart and William Kaelin as they receive the news that they’ve won a Nobel Prize. A 5 a.m. phone call rewards a restless night Read the full story The magic of the unexpected Read the full story Security & Brand Report Copyright Infringement Report Security Issue Trademark Notice Website Accessibility Digital Accessibility Privacy Statement Get In Touch Contact Harvard Maps & Directions Jobs © 2021 The President and Fellows of Harvard College Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube 0:00 0:00