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List of Lithuania’s Nobel Prize Winners

Lithuania’s cultural and scientific influence outpaces its size: the country’s history, diaspora, and shifting borders mean a small number of individuals have had outsized global impact. That context helps explain why a focused list of laureates is useful for readers tracing literary and scientific ties to Lithuania.

There are 2 Lithuania’s Nobel Prize Winners, ranging from Aaron Klug to Czesław Miłosz. For each entry the list shows Year & Prize,Birthplace (present-day),Lithuania tie (max 15 words) — you’ll find these details below.

Who are the two laureates tied to Lithuania and what fields are they known for?

Aaron Klug was recognized for achievements in structural biology (chemistry/medicine overlap) and Czesław Miłosz for literature; both are listed because of birthplace or strong personal ties to areas now in Lithuania.

How should I read the “Lithuania tie” column?

“Lithuania tie” summarizes the nature of each laureate’s connection (birthplace, upbringing, or cultural link) in up to 15 words so you can quickly see why they’re included.

Lithuania’s Nobel Prize Winners

Name Year & Prize Birthplace (present-day) Lithuania tie (max 15 words)
Czesław Miłosz 1980 — Literature Šetenai, Lithuania Born in present-day Lithuania; early childhood there
Aaron Klug 1982 — Chemistry Želva, Lithuania Born in present-day Lithuania; emigrated to South Africa as a child

Images and Descriptions

Czesław Miłosz

Czesław Miłosz

Nobel Prize in Literature 1980 winner, Polish-language poet and essayist born in Šetenai (now Lithuania). His early childhood in Lithuania and later exploration of its landscapes and cultures shaped his themes; he engaged with Polish and Lithuanian identities throughout his work.

Aaron Klug

Aaron Klug

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1982 laureate for crystallographic electron microscopy. Born in Želva (now Lithuania), Klug emigrated with his family to South Africa as a child; his Lithuanian birth and Jewish heritage feature in his early biography though his scientific career developed abroad.

Nobel Prize Winners from Other Countries