Nobel Prize

French Giorgos Seferis’ speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1963 Sire, Madame, Altesses Royales, Mesdames, Messieurs. En ce moment je sens que je suis une contradiction. a en effet décidé que mon effort dans une langue fameuse à travers bien des siècles, mais peu répandue dans sa forme…

Frederick Sanger’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1980 When I was here 22 years ago I addressed the students of 1958 as “fellow students” because although I was 40 years old I still felt that I was one of them, and I still feel the same today. I and my colleagues here have…

As the Laureate was unable to be present at the Nobel Banquet at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, December 10, 1956, the speech was read by Jaime Benitez, Rector of the University of Puerto Rico Juan Ramón Jiménez has given me the following message to convey to you: «I accept with gratitude the undeserved honour…

As the Laureate was unable to be present at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1953, the speech was read by Lady Churchill «The Nobel Prize in Literature is an honour for me alike unique and unexpected and I grieve that my duties have not allowed me to receive it…

Thomas Stearns Eliot’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1948 When I began to think of what I should say to you this evening, I wished only to express very simply my appreciation of the high honour which the has thought fit to confer upon me. But to…

As the Laureate was unable to be present at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1947, the speech was read by Gabriel Puaux, French Ambassador (Translation) «It would no doubt be of little purpose to dwell on my regrets at not being able to be present on this solemn occasion…

As the Laureate was unable to be present at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1946, the speech was read by Henry Vallotton, Swiss Minister (Translation) We deeply regret that illness keeps Hermann Hesse in Switzerland. But his thoughts are with us, and his gratitude speaks through this message which…

Johannes V. Jensen’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1945 (Translation) I thank the venerable and the Swedish nation for the honour they have bestowed upon me in awarding me the Nobel Prize in Literature. Present in all our thoughts today is the founder, Alfred Nobel, whose generosity…

Pearl Buck’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1938 It is not possible for me to express all that I feel of appreciation for what has been said and given to me. I accept, for myself, with the conviction of having received far beyond what I have been…

English Roger Martin du Gard’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1937 (Translation) The presence of so many illustrious persons assembled under the patronage of His Highness, the Crown Prince, heightens the emotions that I feel at finding myself here and hearing the words of praise that have…