Alfred Nobel, the wealthy Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite, endowed the physics, chemistry, literature, medicine and peace prizes in his will when he died in 1896. The Nobel Peace Prize, first given in 1901, has been awarded just over 100 times to over 130 individuals and organizations. Recipients are chosen by a 5-member committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament.

Nobel stipulated the prize be awarded for, "the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
Fernando Vergara/AP, FILE