Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), scholar
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a German scholar.
Biography
Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher and physician. Born January 14, 1875 in Kayserberg, Alsace-Lorraine, then a German province. Studied philosophy and theology at Tubingen, receiving his doctorate in 1899. His dissertation at the Protestant theological faculty at Strasburg, Geschichte der Leben-Jesu-Forschung (republished in 1910 as the more familiar Quest of the Historical Jesus), is a landmark text in historical Jesus studies. Although this text sealed his reputation as a theologian, Schweitzer relinquished an academic career in theology to study medicine (1905-1912). Though family and friends loudly protested the career change, Schweitzer moved to Lambarene in French Equatorial Africa (modern Gabon) where he established a hospital. Schweitzer was devoted to humanity and world peace; he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for humanitarian efforts in Africa and for his philosophy of reverence for life. Died September 4, 1965 in Lambarene, Gabon.