Two white men in their 60s and 70s stand in front of a grey wall. One of the men is holding a cane. — U of T Nobel laureates: University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton (Physics, 2024) and University Professor Emeritus John Polanyi (Chemistry, 1986)

From December 5-10, 2024, the University of Toronto will celebrate Nobel Week, honouring the extraordinary achievements of our community. This special week culminates on December 10th with watch parties across campus to witness University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in computer science, receive the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics during the official ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.

U of T Libraries is joining the celebration with exhibits highlighting Nobel laureates connected to U of T—including alumni, faculty, and researchers—and showcasing related treasures from our collections and archives.

Visit the U of T Nobel Week microsite to explore events, exhibits, and ways to celebrate this remarkable milestone in our university’s history.

A book display featuring books with a variety of colours and images. A sign reading Nobel Prize Winners sits on top with the image of a bearded man in his 40s.

Robarts Library – Exploring Nobel-Winning Literature

During Nobel Week at Robarts Library, don’t miss a special book display curated by Access/Information Services Specialists Sahar Kasiri-Motlagh and Johanna Hill. Featuring Nobel Prize-winning literature from our collection, the display offers a perfect opportunity to discover a new title to enjoy over the holiday break.

From Gabriel García Márquez to Wole Soyinka, Toni Morrison to Han Kang, the past 50 years of Nobel Prize winners in Literature showcase a remarkable array of poetry, novels, and plays. We invite library visitors to revisit beloved classics and uncover new literary treasures as they explore Robarts’ diverse and extensive collection of Nobel-winning works.

Date: December 5 – December 23, 2024
Where: John P. Robarts Research Library, 130 St. George Street

A gold medal with the face of a bearded man in his 60s embossed upon it. The text on the medal reads NOBEL

Fisher Library – Banting Nobel Prize Medal on Display

The Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library will be featuring an exhibit showcasing the archival materials from two Nobel Prize winners held in the Fisher collections; Sir Frederick G. Banting, who received the 1923 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of insulin, and John C. Polanyi, the recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research in chemical kinetics.

The exhibition, curated by Archivist Natalya Rattan and Conservator Maia Balint, will notably include Banting’s 1923 Nobel Prize, which is part of the Fisher’s permanent collection. It will also feature his Nobel citation and telegram, along with materials related to Polanyi's prize.

If you’re still curious about exploring more of Polanyi's groundbreaking work, visit the Lash Miller Building (Department of Chemistry) where a new permanent exhibit on his life and work was installed this past May. The department worked closely with Polyani on the content of the display, using his extensive archives and donated equipment to support the exhibition.

Date: December 5 – December 10, 2024
Where: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George Street

Gerstein Library - A Focus on Scientific Innovation

Those interested in taking a deeper dive into the works and minds of U of T's Nobel laureates in sciences will find much to explore at the Gerstein Science Information Centre. Curated by Faculty Liaison & Instruction Librarian, Vincci Lui, and GSLA Lisa Shin, Gerstein's display will be available for viewing as of Thursday, December 5th and will focus on books about U of T's Nobel laureates in science (including medicine, physics, and chemistry), books edited by these laureates, and books with general information on the Nobel Prize and other Nobel laureates in science and medicine.

The display will shine a spotlight on a number of recipients with U of T connections, including Frederick Banting, John Macleod, Oliver Smithies, Arthur Leonard Schawlow, John Polanyi, and others.

Date: December 5 – December 23, 2024
Where: Gerstein Science Information Centre, 9 King's College Circle

A poster with information about the Nobel prize awarded to Frederick Banting for insulin discovery. There is an image of Banting, a white man wearing glasses in his 40s, on the poster.

Poster Displays at the Engineering Library: A Showcase of Nobel Winners

The Engineering & Computer Science Library has prepared a series of posters showcasing the thirteen Nobel laureates who studied and/or taught at the University of Toronto. Engineering Librarian Tracy Zahradnik created this display, with the help of TALint student Rochelle David.

These will include recipients from across disciplines, from medicine and chemistry to literature and economics. Each poster will include a QR code that will direct users to a seminal paper or book by the laureate via LibrarySearch. Keep an eye out for these posters, which will be displayed throughout the Engineering Library starting on Monday December 9th.

Date: December 9 – December 23, 2024
Where: Engineering & Computer Science Library, 10 King's College Rd

UTL Celebrates Nobel Week