The Uncertain Role of Nominations for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry^†

Abstract

The solicitation of nominations for the Nobel Prizes in Chemistry (NPch) is and has been the first step in the selection process since the very first awards were made in 1901. The number of nominations solicited by and provided to the Nobel Committee for Chemistry supports the belief by the nominators that their nominations are meaningful. In this publication, we examine data culled from the Nobel Prize Nomination Archives for the period 1901–1970 of the variable role of nominations in the selection process for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The evidence is overwhelming that nominations, in general, during the 1901–1970 period have not been the deciding, overriding factor in the selection of the recipients of the NPch. Rather, we posit that nominations from the preselected nominator‐pool have been a source of information for the Committee, used to suggest future years’ contenders and possibly served as motivation for the Committee to seek nominations for specific nominees for future years. It is also clear that selections are often influenced by personal prejudices, for example, friendships, rivalries, and nationality.

On the nonexistent Nobel Prizes for two pioneers of modern physical organic chemistry: Sir Christopher K. Ingold and Saul Winstein†

“…The Nobel Committees and the Academy had, by Ingold's time, much history in the application of personal and professional biases in their selection processes. 3,4,46,48 Ingold We also agree with the observation of a reader of an early version of this publication who wrote, Since the number of scientists in the 1960s was much less than these days, human relationships were far more important also in affecting the selection of a recipient of a prize.…”

“…Ingold never did. We 48 and others 24,48,58 believe that Ingold's Nobel Prize was, at least in part, thwarted by his nemesis, Oxford's Sir Robert Robinson. Robinson was connected to Stockholm in many ways, especially after his Nobel Prize year (1947), including through his former student, the Swedish chemist and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Holger Erdtman.…”

“…This feature is observed in the nomination chronologies of other NPch nominees and suggests some type of organized behavior. 48 Clearly, possibility #1 is discredited. Second, perhaps Ingold's achievements were judged insufficient for a Nobel Prize by the Nobel Committee for Chemistry and/or the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (the "Academy").…”