Albert Schweitzer Papers, 1896-1965 18 linear ft.
Schweitzer, Albert, 1875-1965.
Papers of the theologian, philosopher, physician, organist, and music scholar; born in Alsace, France. Founded a missionary hospital in Lambaréné, French Equatorial Africa (now Gabon). Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his advocacy of the brotherhood of nations. Collection includes correspondence (1901-1965); 123 notebooks (1918-1965); manuscript essays and lectures on religion, philosophy, and medicine; and sermons. Correspondence includes nearly 1400 letters between Schweitzer and wife Hélène Bresslau (1901-1939); 396 letters (1950-1965) written in German to Erica Anderson; 180 letters to daughter Rhena Schweitzer Miller; and 70 letters to various recipients, including 3 to Rudolf Bultmann. Notebooks document Schweitzer's daily life in Lambaréné, the diseases and stories of his patients, and the arrival of visitors to the mission. They also contain poems, quotations, excerpts from books on philosophy, religion, and history; clippings from French, German, English, and African newspapers; reports on world politics; and commentaries on himself and his work.