When the first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 , the Norwegian Nobel Committee opted to give it to Henry Dunant and FrÃ dÃ ric Passy , a leading campaigner against war . When the first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 , the Norwegian Nobel Committee opted to give it jointly to Henry Dunant and FrÃ dÃ ric Passy , a leading international pacifist .