Nobel Prize in Literature Laureates

Sully Prudhomme

The first Nobel Laureate of Literature, this French poet and essayist was awarded the prize in 1901 for his idealistic, artistic compositions on aesthetics and philosophy.

Theodor Mommsen

The first German to become a Nobel Laureate of Literature, this classical scholar was awarded the prize in 1902 for his excellent historical writings, especially The History of Rome.

Bjornstjerne Bjornson

The first Norwegian to become a Nobel Laureate of Literature, this writer was awarded the prize in 1903 for his versatile poetry and freshness of spirit. He is most known for his contribution to the Norwegian national anthem.

Frederic Mistral

This French poet was awarded the prize in 1904 for his naturalistic writings that reflected the spirit of his native Occitan region.

Jose Echegaray

The first Spaniard to become a Nobel Laureate of Literature, this dramatist was awarded the prize in 1904 for his plays that reflected Spanish traditions and revived many practices of the theater.

Henryk Sienkiewicz

The first Polish person to become a Nobel Laureate of Literature, this writer was awarded the prize in 1905 for his epic historical novels, such as Quo Vadis, which made him one of the most known Polish in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Giosue Carducci

The first Italian to become a Nobel Laureate of Literature in 1906, this poet took strong influences from classical poets such as Plutarch and Dante and is one of the most renowned poets of modern Italy.

Rudyard Kipling

The youngest person to become a Nobel Laureate in Literature, awarded the prize at the age of 42 in 1907, this novelist was known for his exciting adventure stories and poetry such as Mandalay, The White Man’s Burden, and The Jungle Book, though his reputation has dwindled in recent times.

Rudolf Christoph Euckan

This German philosopher was awarded the prize in 1908 for his earnest search for truth and power of thought.

Selma Lagerlof

This Swedish writer was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909, for her novels like Gosta Berling’s Saga and Herr Arne’s Hoard.

Paul Heyse

This German writer was awarded the prize in 1910 for his 177 short stories, novels, drama, and poetry.

Maurice Maeterlinck

This Belgian dramatist was awarded the prize in 1911 for his plays such as The Blue Bird, The Blind, and Intruder.

Gerhart Hauptmann

This German writer was awarded the prize in 1912 for his novels and plays that prominently featured literary naturalism, like The Weavers and the Rats.

Rabindranath Tagore

The first non-European to win the prize, this Indian writer received the award in 1913 for his profound works like Gitanjali, Gora, The Home and the World, and other works that focused on Indian culture under British Rule.

Romain Rolland

This French historian