Special Seminar: Alfred Nobel and the History of the Nobel Prize

The Chemistry & Biochemistry Club welcomes Professor Lawrence J. Berliner, of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Denver to Ohio State for a special seminar on the life of Alfred Nobel and his family.

When: Thursday October 27, 6:30-7:30 PM

Where: McPherson 2015

nobel-prize

Alfred Nobel was a genius and a keen practitioner of many fields, including chemistry, physics, physiology/medicine and literature, which comprise four of the prestigious Nobel Prizes awarded each year since 1901. There is also a rich history of the chemical elements being a key part of the prize citation, starting as early as Marie Curie.

Professor Lawrence J. Berliner of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Denver.

Prof. Lawrence J. Berliner

This talk covers the history of Alfred Nobel and how he, his father and brothers developed their famous explosive that made Nobel company and Alfred extremely wealthy and famous. However the interesting, sometimes sad part of this history, is how Alfred came about to propose and write in his will the details of these prizes.  Prof. Berliner, who teaches a course on the Nobel Prize to entering freshman undergraduate students at the University of Denver, gives both personal and sensitive insight to its mystique and fame. Time permitting, the politics and potential mistakes made by the various Nobel committees over the years will be discussed.