Date of Birth: October 21, 1833
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: December 10, 1896
Biography
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist, best known for inventing dynamite and for establishing the Nobel Prizes. Nobel was born into a family of engineers; his father, Immanuel Nobel, was an inventor and engineer who built bridges and buildings in Stockholm. Alfred was educated in private tutors and later studied chemistry in Paris and the United States. In 1867, Nobel patented dynamite, which gained widespread use in construction and demolition projects, significantly advancing the field of civil engineering. Despite his commercial success, Nobel was deeply concerned about the potential for his inventions to be used for destructive purposes. This moral dilemma led him to establish the Nobel Prizes in his will, which have since become some of the most prestigious awards in the fields of peace, literature, and various sciences. Nobel held 355 different patents during his lifetime and used his wealth to fund the prizes that bear his name. He spent his later years in San Remo, Italy, where he passed away in 1896.
5 Interesting Facts about Alfred Nobel
1. Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1867 and patented it as “Nobel’s Blasting Powder.”
2. He established the Nobel Prizes through a will, motivated by a premature obituary that labeled him the “merchant of death.”
3. Nobel held 355 patents by the time of his death.
4. He was fluent in several languages, including Swedish, Russian, French, English, and German.
5. Alfred Nobel never married and had no children.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alfred Nobel
1. “If I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.”
2. “Hope is nature’s veil for hiding truth’s nakedness.”
3. “Contentment is the only real wealth.”
4. “My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions.”
5. “Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of his death in 1896, Alfred Nobel’s estate was valued at approximately $265 million in today’s money.
Children
Alfred Nobel never married and had no children.
Relevant Links
1. [Nobel Prize Official Website](https://www.nobelprize.org
2. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alfred-Nobel
3. [Alfred Nobel on History.com](https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/alfred-nobel
4. [Alfred Nobel – Nobel Prize Museum](https://nobelprizemuseum.se/en/alfred-nobel/
5. [Alfred Nobel on Famous Scientists](https://www.famousscientists.org/alfred-nobel/
