Albert Schweitzer was born on 14 January 1875 in Kaysersberg, Germany. A German theologian, philosopher, and medical doctor, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his work with ‘The Brotherhood of the Nations’. In 1899, he served the Theological College of St Thomas, leaving to attend medical school. In 1913, he established a hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon, however, he was interred as a prisoner of war four years later. Afterward, he lectured, preached, and furthered his medical studies in Europe, returning to Lambaréné in 1924, where he remained until his death.
A recipient of several honorary doctorates and the Goethe Prize from Frankfurt, he funded the work of his hospital with his Nobel Prize winnings. An accomplished organist, he wrote J.S. Bach: Le Musician-Poète (1905) at the prompting of Charles-Marie Widor. Important publications include Quest for the Historical Jesus (1906), The Mystery of the Kingdom of God: The Secret of Jesus’ Messiahship and Passion (1914), Civilization and Ethics (1923), The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle (1930), From My African Notebook (1938), and Peace or Atomic War? (1958).
