Alfred Bernhard Nobel was the third son of Immanuel Nobel and Andriette Ahlsell Nobel. Born in Stockholm on 21 October 1833, he went with his family to Saint Petersburg in Alfred studied chemistry with Professor Nikolay Nikolaevich Zinin. When Alfred was 18, he went to the United States to study chemistry for four years and worked for a short period under John Ericsson. Alfred, returning to Sweden with his father after the bankruptcy of their family business, devoted himself to the study of explosives, and especially to the safe manufacture and use of nitroglycerine.

Nobel found that when nitroglycerin was incorporated in an absorbent inert substance like kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) it became safer and more convenient to handle, and this mixture he patented in 1867 as 'dynamite'. Nobel demonstrated his explosive for the first time that year, at a quarry in Redhill, Surrey, England. Nobel found that when nitroglycerin was incorporated in an absorbent inert substance like kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) it became safer and more convenient to handle, and this mixture he patented in 1867 as 'dynamite'. Nobel demonstrated his explosive for the first time that year, at a quarry in Redhill, Surrey, England. The synthetic element nobelium was named after him. The synthetic element nobelium was named after him.

Alfred Nobel set up factories around the world to manufacture dynamite and other explosives. Construction and mining companies, and the military ordered large quantities of this relatively safe explosive. Sales of dynamite brought Nobel great wealth. His other chemical research provided valuable information on the development of artificial rubber, leather, silk and precious stones. Alfred Nobel set up factories around the world to manufacture dynamite and other explosives. Construction and mining companies, and the military ordered large quantities of this relatively safe explosive. Sales of dynamite brought Nobel great wealth. His other chemical research provided valuable information on the development of artificial rubber, leather, silk and precious stones.

Though Nobel remained unmarried, his biographers note that he had at least three loves. Nobel's first love was in Russia with a girl named Alexandra, second love with Austro- Bohemian Countess Bertha Kinsky became Alfred Nobel's secretary. Nobel's third and long-lasting love was with a flower girl named Sofie Hess from Vienna. This liaison lasted for 18 years. Though Nobel remained unmarried, his biographers note that he had at least three loves. Nobel's first love was in Russia with a girl named Alexandra, second love with Austro- Bohemian Countess Bertha Kinsky became Alfred Nobel's secretary. Nobel's third and long-lasting love was with a flower girl named Sofie Hess from Vienna. This liaison lasted for 18 years.

The foundations of the Nobel Prize were laid in 1895 when Alfred Nobel wrote his last will, leaving much of his wealth for its establishment. Since 1901, the prize has honored men and women for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and for work in peace. The Nobel Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world and includes a cash prize of nearly one million dollars. In 1968 the prize field was broadened to include an award in economic science. The foundations of the Nobel Prize were laid in 1895 when Alfred Nobel wrote his last will, leaving much of his wealth for its establishment. Since 1901, the prize has honored men and women for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and for work in peace. The Nobel Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world and includes a cash prize of nearly one million dollars. In 1968 the prize field was broadened to include an award in economic science.

He entered life" World-famous for his works he was never personally well known, for throughout his life- he avoided publicity. " I do not see." he once said, "that I have deserved any fame and I have no taste for it," but since his death his name has brought fame and glory to others. He entered life" World-famous for his works he was never personally well known, for throughout his life- he avoided publicity. " I do not see." he once said, "that I have deserved any fame and I have no taste for it," but since his death his name has brought fame and glory to others. He was always generous "to the poor": "I'd rather take care of the storm aches of the living than the glory of the dead in the form of stone memorials," he once said. His greatest wish, how ever, was to see an end to wars He was always generous "to the poor": "I'd rather take care of the storm aches of the living than the glory of the dead in the form of stone memorials," he once said. His greatest wish, how ever, was to see an end to wars

Nobel died at his home in Italy on 10 December He is buried in Stockholm. Nobel died at his home in Italy on 10 December He is buried in Stockholm. «My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions. As soon as men will find that in one instant, whole armies can be utterly destroyed, they surely will abide by golden peace.» «My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions. As soon as men will find that in one instant, whole armies can be utterly destroyed, they surely will abide by golden peace.» -Alfred Nobel -Alfred Nobel