Editor, Gazette-Journal:

One might call Alfred Barney Nobel a very, very interesting man. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, on Oct. 21, 1883, he created one of the world’s most coveted and sought-after items this side of La Seine. He was a chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman and philanthropist.

Although known for inventing dynamite, he is also known for initiating something even more contradictory, yet even more prestigious. On Nov. 27, 1895, at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Nobel signed his last will and testament, and set aside the bulk of his estate to establish … the Nobel Peace Prize … to be awarded annually, and without distinction of race or nationality … to persons who excelled in the fields of chemistry, physics, physiology, medicine, literature and, of course, peace.

Mr. Nobel passed away on Dec. 10, 1896 at the age of 63 in San Remo, Italy. How exhilarating it must feel to wake up one bright, sunny morning, only to learn … you have just won one.

Elaine Whit...