The 1928 Nobel Prizes highlighted achievements across science, literature and humanitarian efforts, marking a year of varied influence and recognition.
There are 4 1928 Nobel Prize Winners, ranging from Adolf Windaus to Sigrid Undset. The entries are organized by Category,Country,Prize citation (≤15 words), which you’ll find below.
1928 Nobel Prize Winners
| Name | Category | Country | Prize citation (≤15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owen W. Richardson | Physics | United Kingdom | for his work on the thermionic phenomenon and the discovery of Richardson’s law |
| Adolf Windaus | Chemistry | Germany | for his work on sterols and their relation to vitamins |
| Charles Nicolle | Medicine | France | for discovering lice transmit epidemic typhus |
| Sigrid Undset | Literature | Norway | for powerful descriptions of Northern life during the Middle Ages |
Images and Descriptions
Owen W. Richardson
British physicist Owen W. Richardson pioneered studies of thermionic emission, establishing Richardson’s law that relates temperature and electron emission from metals. His experimental and theoretical work clarified electron behavior and advanced vacuum tube technology, influencing early electronics and surface physics research.
Adolf Windaus
German chemist Adolf Windaus elucidated the structure and chemistry of sterols and their connection to vitamins, especially vitamin D. His work explained how sterols convert into vitamins, influencing nutritional science, biochemistry, and the prevention and treatment of rickets.
Charles Nicolle
French physician Charles Nicolle discovered that human body lice transmit epidemic typhus, identifying the disease’s vector. His epidemiological and public health findings allowed targeted control measures, drastically reducing typhus outbreaks and improving understanding of vector-borne diseases.
Sigrid Undset
Norwegian novelist Sigrid Undset was honored for richly detailed novels set in medieval Scandinavia, especially The Kristin Saga. Her psychologically acute portrayals of women, moral complexity, and historical realism brought Northern medieval life vividly to modern readers.
