Nobel Prize Winners of 1981: Full List of Laureates and Their Achievements

Nobel Prize

Nobel Prize Winners 1981: Discover the Laureates of 1981


Physics

Arthur Leonard Schawlow for their contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy.

Kai M. Siegbahn for his contribution to the development of high-resolution electron spectroscopy.

Nicolaas Bloembergen for their contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy.

Physiology or Medicine

David H. Hubel for their discoveries concerning information processing in the visual system.

Roger W. Sperry for his discoveries concerning the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres.

Torsten N. Wiesel for their discoveries concerning information processing in the visual system.

Literature

Elias Canetti for writings marked by a broad outlook, a wealth of ideas and artistic power.

Economic Sciences

James Tobin for his analysis of financial markets and their relations to expenditure decisions, employment, production and prices.

Chemistry

Kenichi Fukui for their theories, developed independently, concerning the course of chemical reactions.

Roald Hoffmann for their theories, developed independently, concerning the course of chemical reactions.

Peace

Memorable Moments and Contributions

Peace - The 1981 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its work in providing assistance and protection to millions of refugees worldwide. The UNHCR’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced people and promote international cooperation in addressing the global refugee crisis were recognized as a significant contribution to the cause of peace.

Physics - The 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Nicolaas Bloembergen, Arthur L. Schawlow, and Kai M. Siegbahn for their contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy. Their work led to significant advancements in the understanding of atomic structure and the interactions between light and matter, paving the way for numerous applications in fields such as chemistry, biology, and telecommunications.

Chemistry - The 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Kenichi Fukui and Roald Hoffmann for their independent work on the theory of chemical reactions. Their contributions, known as the Woodward-Hoffmann rules, provided a framework for understanding the mechanisms and stereochemistry of organic reactions, which had a profound impact on the field of organic chemistry.

Literature - The 1981 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to the Guatemalan author Miguel Ángel Asturias for his novels and plays that artistically depicted the life and struggles of the indigenous people of Latin America. Asturias’ work, such as "Men of Maize" and "The President," brought attention to the social and political issues faced by marginalized communities in the region.

Physiology or Medicine - The 1981 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Roger W. Sperry for his discoveries concerning the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres. Sperry's work on split-brain patients revealed the distinct roles of the left and right brain, leading to a better understanding of human cognition and the organization of the nervous system.

FAQ Section

Who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1981?

Elias Canetti won the Nobel Prize in Literature LIT - Bulgarian-swiss novelist, playwright, and memoirist, nobel prize laureate (d. 1994).

Who won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1981?

James Tobin won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences ECO - American economist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1918).

What scientific breakthroughs were recognized by the Nobel Prizes in 1981?

Arthur Leonard Schawlow, Kai M. Siegbahn and Nicolaas Bloembergen won the Nobel Prize in Physics Nobel Prize laureate for their contribution to the development of laser spectroscopy. Kenichi Fukui and Roald Hoffmann won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry Japanese chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1918).