Factbox: Nobel literature laureates

LONDON (Reuters) - The very first Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded in 1901 to the French poet and philosopher Sully Prudhomme, who in his poetry showed the "rare combination of the qualities of both heart and intellect."

Over the years, the prize has distinguished the works of authors from many different languages and cultural backgrounds. It has been awarded to unknown masters as well as authors acclaimed worldwide.

One hundred and two Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded since 1901.

Following is a list of past winners:

2009 Herta Mueller (Germany)

2008 Jean-Marie Gustave le Clezio (France)

2007 Doris Lessing (United Kingdom)

2006 Orhan Pamuk (Turkey)

2005 Harold Pinter (United Kingdom)

2004 Elfriede Jelinek (Austria)

2003 J.M. Coetzee (South Africa)

2002 Imre Kertesz (Hungary)

2001 V.S. Naipaul (Trinidad/United Kingdom)

2000 Gao Xingjian (China)

1999 Guenter Grass (Germany)