washingtonpost.com > Photo

They said "no" to what?! Notable prize rejections

Russian mathematician Grigory Perelman isn't the first one to turn down a substantial prize for personal reasons. Take look at some other figures who have turned down large sums and rewards to maintain their integrity.

Reclusive Russian mathematician Grigory Perelman said nyet to a $1 million prize for solving the Poincare conjecture because he didn't believe the prize was fair to his colleagues who had contributed to the solution. Perelman made headlines earlier this year by not immediately accepting the math community's equivalent of a Nobel Prize. On the left is a photo of Perelman as a youth in Russia.

Sergei Rukshin

Reclusive Russian mathematician Grigory Perelman said nyet to a $1 million prize for solving the Poincare conjecture because he didn't believe the prize was fair to his colleagues who had contributed to the solution. Perelman made headlines earlier this year by not immediately accepting the math community's equivalent of a Nobel Prize. On the left is a photo of Perelman as a youth in Russia.

Austin Spriggs refused to sell his townhouse in downtown Washington to developers, despite multiple six-figure offers in 2006. Today, his tiny townhouse is surrounded by swanky condominiums and huge office buildings.

Austin Spriggs

Austin Spriggs refused to sell his townhouse in downtown Washington to developers, despite multiple six-figure offers in 2006. Today, his tiny townhouse is surrounded by swanky condominiums and huge office buildings.

Bill O'leary-The Washington Post

Jay McCarroll won the first season of Bravo's popular fashion design show "Project Runway." However, McCarroll turned down prize money and a contract after winning because he felt that there were too many strings attached.

Jay McCarroll

Jay McCarroll won the first season of Bravo's popular fashion design show "Project Runway." However, McCarroll turned down prize money and a contract after winning because he felt that there were too many strings attached.

Peter Kramer-AP

French philosopher and novelist Jean-Paul Sartre declined the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature after winning it in 1964.

Jean-Paul Sartre

French philosopher and novelist Jean-Paul Sartre declined the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature after winning it in 1964.

AP

Marlon Brando won the Academy Award for his 1972 performance in "The Godfather," but he refused to accept the Oscar. Brando boycotted the awards ceremony and sent American Indian Rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place, as a protest of Hollywood's depiction of Native Americans in cinema and television.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando won the Academy Award for his 1972 performance in "The Godfather," but he refused to accept the Oscar. Brando boycotted the awards ceremony and sent American Indian Rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place, as a protest of Hollywood's depiction of Native Americans in cinema and television.

Paramount Home Entertainment

Actor George C. Scott refused to accept his Academy Award for his 1970 role in "Patton." Scott declared the Oscars "a meat parade" that he didn't want any part of.

George C. Scott

Actor George C. Scott refused to accept his Academy Award for his 1970 role in "Patton." Scott declared the Oscars "a meat parade" that he didn't want any part of.

Ho-Reuters

Sinead O'Connor turned down the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album in 1990 to protest what she perceived as the over-commercialization of the awards.

Sinead O'Connor

Sinead O'Connor turned down the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album in 1990 to protest what she perceived as the over-commercialization of the awards.

Suzanne Plunkett-AP

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Allison Slomowitz Text Editor Milos Balac

Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content.

This Story The puzzling solver of a big problem Article \| Who would turn down a $1 million prize for solving a math problem? They said "no" to what?! Notable prize rejections		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
» This Story:Read +\|Watch +\| Comments

© 2010 www.washingtonpost.com