On this day, December 10, in 1901, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded. The philanthropist left the bulk of his estate to establish the annual Prize in “physical science, in chemistry and in medical science or physiology; literary work “in an ideal direction” and the fifth prize is to be given to the person or society that renders the greatest service to the cause of international fraternity, in the suppression or reduction of standing armies, or in the establishment or furtherance of peace congresses.” (Wikipedia)

Bishop Desmond Tutu was honored with the Peace Prize in 1984.

Dr. Melvin Calvin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961.

Hideki Yukawa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949.

See a list of some other Nobel Prize winners who were photographed by Karsh.