The Nobel Peace Prize is a prestigious international award, by modern times having recipients across all livable continents. First awarded in 1901, the prize is given to a person or group that has dedicated their time to having a significant impact on peace, giving it a worldwide ripple effect on being noticed if it had not been already. Recipients of these prizes come from a range of diverse backgrounds, some of which are religious leaders. The teachers of spirituality that have received the prize, all of which are in the 20th century, have had a crucial role in the development of human rights and humanitarian aid in the modern age. Compared to other laureates, these recipients have less to do with the policy making and more to do with the human interaction and everyday life of a more peaceful world.
Nathan Soderblom, the earliest religious leader to be given the prize, was awarded in 1930. He was educated at the University of Uppsala and while a student attended an American Christian Student Federation meeting in New England, in 1890. While at the University, he was a standout in linguistic studies, which would help tremendously is his pursuit of a career in Theology. He was also known for his outstanding ability to speak publicly. While he was in France, he received the degree of doctor of Theology from the University of Paris, also preaching here from 1894 to 1901. Here, his congregation included many of the higher classes of Europe at the time, ranging from Businessmen to artists, with one of the members being Alfred Nobel himself. He became a professor of theology at Uppsala University in 1901, and from 1912 to 1914 he taught history of religion at the University of Leipzig. He was named primate of the Church of Sweden as Archbishop of Uppsala in 1914. As Archbishop he actively promoted world peace both in Europe and the United States, while also being a strong advocate and father of the Ecumenical movement, or a unified Christian church. To view the...