Canada and the Nobel Prize: Biographies, Portraits, and Fascinating Facts

Alexander D. Gregor is director of the Centre for Higher Education
Research and Development at the University of Manitoba and coeditor of
Postsecondary Education in Canada: The Cultural Agenda.

Even in an age of cynicism about once-venerated institutions, the Nobel
Prize is still widely regarded as the arbitrator of excellence and
accomplishment. Despite (or perhaps because of) criticisms raised from
time to time about perceived vagaries, omissions, inconsistencies and
bias, the Nobel Prize provides a definitive lens through which we can
discern the changing shape of the contemporary intellectual and
scholarly world. In his overview of the history of the Nobel Prize (more
than 700 of which have been awarded since the prize’s inception in
1901), the author outlines the evolution that has taken place toward a
more comprehensive and balanced definition of the established order: the
incorporation of non-Western contributions, the gradual recognition of
the contribution of women, and so on.

The perspective Black provides is a useful context for Canada’s place
and contribution. He examines the 15 Canadian Nobel laureates, along
with five that he classifies as “sort of Canadian” (including Saul
Bellow, who was born in Canada but later became an American citizen) and
three non-Canadians who did some of their work in Canada (e.g., Ernest
Hemingway). The bulk of the Canadian recipients have been scientists.
Black, who has written extensively on popular science, is well placed to
convey the gist of their work in a form that is easily intelligible to
the general reader.

The book is illustrated, by the author, with very effective pencil
sketches of the recipients. In addition to providing fresh insights into
Canadian intellectual history, Black has also made a significant
contribution in placing Canadian accomplishments and activities against
a broader, international backdrop.