Nobel Prize

Norwegian Knut Hamsun’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at Grand Hôtel, Stockholm, December 10, 1920 (in Norwegian) Nei hvad skal jeg gjöre overfor en saa hjærtelig Elskværdighet! Den löfter mig iveiret og jeg mister Fotfæstet, Salen farer avsted med mig. Det er ikke godt at være mig nu, jeg er blit tyk av Ære og…

English Knut Hamsun’s speech at the Nobel Banquet at Grand Hôtel, Stockholm, December 10, 1920 (Translation) What am I to do in the presence of such gracious, such overwhelming generosity? I no longer have my feet planted on the ground, I am walking on air, my head is spinning. It is not easy to be…

Harry M. Markowitz’ speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1990 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to express my deepest thanks to the Nobel Foundation for the honor you do us, on behalf of the three of us who are here tonight and on behalf of hundreds of others…

Trygve Haavelmo’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1989 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, I should like to keep my own person in the background in this connection, overwhelmed as I am by the honour that has fallen upon me. My admiration for their wisdom and foresight should go to those…

Maurice Allais’ speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1988 (in French) Majestés, Altesses Royales, Chers Collègues et Amis, Mesdames et Messieurs, Je suis profondément honoré par le Prix Nobel d’Economie qui vient de m’être décerné, en fait la plus haute distinction que puisse recevoir un scientifique. Quand je parcours la liste des savants prestigieux…

Robert M. Solow’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1987 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen: Seven weeks have gone by since it became known that I had won this Prize. During that time I have been asked how to solve the economic problems of the United States, Norway, Sweden, the Federal…

James M. Buchanan Jr.’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1986 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, This is, indeed, a unique experience for me, so much so that I feel very much like the blind man in the nudist camp. I am feeling my way around. More seriously, I have the…

Franco Modigliani’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1985 I would like to express my thanks to the Nobel Foundation and the Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Riksbanken for their award. From the instant I lifted that phone at 7 a.m. on October 15 our life has been miraculously transformed and we have…

Richard Stone’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1984 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, Since the 18th of October I have been the prey to many emotions. First of all came surprise at having been selected for this high honour. Then came elation as the truth of it sank in. Then…

Gerard Debreu’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1983 Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, Many Laureates before me must have been filled with wonder at the dazzling recognition they received in Stockholm for something that they enjoyed so much doing. The instant at which a scientist becomes certain that his problem…