Author Archives: June Edvenson

In The Machine Age, she chose to attack states Who glamorized nationalism and military might. As she wrote, “I wanted to express the thought Of war that was burning in my soul.”  Debate Swirled wildly, with praise, critique, translations and alarm When her ‘opus magnus’ hit, Lay Down Your Arms! A study of war sheContinue reading “1905 – Von Suttner – 2”

Bertha von Suttner received the Peace Prize for A life of writing, work and lecturing on peace. Born in Prague, a countess . . . but not more, Her sex was not correct, for the times, at least. Tell how, when none to marry could be found, She failed at opera, then answered an adContinue reading “1905 – Bertha Von Suttner”

The Institute of International Law, we see, Became the Prize’s sixth recipient. Founded in Belgium in 1873, Its motto, “Justice and Peace,” was succinct. Gustave Rolin-Jacquemyns had shared his view That sovereign states be ruled by rule of law and, too, Not war or violence. But, bolstered by free trade And cooperative ventures, Peace’s pathContinue reading “1904 – The Institute of International Law”

Cremer had seen sufficient war losses, Franco-Prussian, Crimean, the Boer War – South Africa, arguing always that the cost was Too great, the excitement and horror all too poor Compensation. To Parliament he spoke then: “The verdict of history is always with the friends Of peace,” and “There is not a man In this HouseContinue reading “1903 – Cremer – 2”

Cremer knew poverty and intolerance well, From England, before their voting rights story. From ‘boiling pitch’ (at 12) to trade rights work his efforts swelled, While constantly he engaged others to freely Work for peace, support the North’s Civil War, And voting rights for men, and arbitration. The International Arbitration League he bore: He didContinue reading “1903 – Sir William Randal Cremer”

Albert Gobat also won the Prize that year. He was Swiss. He trained in law and, later, politics. On issues parliamentary, he had no peer, Though those who knew him called him empiric. From Grand Council of Bern to Council of States he rose, Thus to the International Parliamentary Union, his obsession, And so parliamentariansContinue reading “1902 – Albert Gobat”

“And when the clamour of the battlefield abates,” Said Élie Ducommun in his acceptance speech Upon receiving the Peace Prize, “the labor Of civilization has to begin anew In a world of physical and moral chaos.” As tragic as his statement is, well, true, It reminds us not of rebirth, but of loss: Continuing, “ThisContinue reading “1902 – Ducommun – 2”

Élie Ducommun won the peace prize for his tireless attention To the cause of Peace, throughout his busy workday. In his youth, he wrote for the democratic press, with erudition, Later directing the Swiss railroad, his management talent at play. He helped to found the International League for Peace And Freedom, becoming its journal editor. Continue reading “1902 – Elie Ducommun”

Frederic Passy was called the ‘doyen’- ‘the Elder,’ of his colleagues, Those in global peace studies and arbitration work. Though he Studied law, he much preferred economics and ‘free trade.’ This, he taught, would help Peace flourish:  with money paid By those who embraced the free flow of goods between nations, Unfettered competition, labor andContinue reading “1901 – Frederic Passy”

Alfred Nobel was born into bankruptcy In eastern Sweden, studied chemistry, And languages, in the course of time, Machines of war, submarines, land mines. Experimenting with explosives in His father’s laboratory, nitroglycerine He helped to find, discovering economic worth, Igniting it in caps with porous earth. Nobel created dynamite, of greatest human power, For buildingContinue reading “Nobel”