History Focus
September 4

Albert Schweitzer was born on January 14, 1875, in Kaysensberg, Upper Alsace (then in Germany, now in France). Even as a child Schweitzer was sensitive to the feelings of others. He insisted that he be no better fed or dressed than the poorest of his schoolmates.

He was awarded the 1952 Nobel peace prize for his efforts on behalf of the brotherhood of nations.

Schweitzer was world renowned as a musician, ethical philosopher, and humanitarian. The variety of his interests was unified largely by the profound religious meaning he found in the natural world as well as in all of the accomplishments of humankind.

Albert Schweitzer was born on January 14, 1875. He attended the village school and began music lessions at home. Following that, he entered the Gymnasium at Mulhausen. At the Gymnasium he continued his studies on the organ. After graduation he studied for a time in Paris with the noted French organist Charles-Marie Widor. Although he was a leading interpreter of the organ music of Johann Sebastian Bach, he decided against music as a career. His contributions to the music world were still very significant. In 1906 he published a booklet, 'The Art of German and French Organ Builders and Players', which is now regarded as the original stimulus for the classical organ revival; and with Widor he published the widely used performing edition of Bach's organ works (1912-14). Schweitzer emphasized the religious nature of Bach's music and advocated the simple, undistorted style of performing Bach's works.

In 1893 he entered the University of Strasbourg. Schweitzer earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1899 and a doctorate in theology a year later. He was appointed pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Strasbourg and later became head of the Theological College of St. Thomas. He had accomplished all of this by the time he was 30 years old. His deeply religious nature allowed him to put all of these outstanding accomplishments in music, theology and the clergy behind him. At 30, in 1905, he entered medical school at the University of Strasbourg. In 1912 he and Helene Bresslau were married, and his wife studied nursing to help her husband. In 1913 Schweitzer received his medical degree. The next spring the couple sailed for Africa.

As a medical missionary he set up a tiny hospital in Lambarene, in French Equatorial Africa, in what is now the republic of Gabon. In spite of many obstacles, he provided care for thousands of Africans, including 300 lepers. Although he made his home in the jungle, Schweitzer was not forgotten. He wrote books on theology and philosophy. In 'The Philosophy of Civilization', published in 1923, and in other books, he explained his belief in reverence for life as the key to understanding the universe and the human mind and spirit. Schweitzer contended that modern civilization is in decay because it lacks the will to love. He suggested that people should develop a philosophy based on what he termed "reverence for life," embracing with compassion all forms of life. He returned frequently to Europe to lecture and give organ recitals; in 1949 he visited the United States. These returns to Europe and the U. S. were used to finance his mission work in Africa.

Schweitzer established his reputation as a theologian with a number of books. The "Quest of the Historical Jesus," and "The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle," are two works where Schweitzer examined the New Testament from the eschatological viewpoint of its authors. Other works of Schweitzer include the theological studies Indian Thought and Its Development, The Kingdom of God and Primitive Christianity, and the autobiographical Out of My Life and Thought. Schweitzer died in Lambarene on September 4, 1965.

Sources: Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) | Compton’s Encyclopedia