Albert Schweitzer papers, 1949; 1966

Summary Information

Abstract

Albert Schweitzer was a medical missionary in Lambaréné, Africa and was renowned for his ideas on theology, philosophy, music, ethics, and nuclear war. The collection contains Schweitzer's lecture on Goethe given at the International Goethe Convocation in 1949 (on two vinyl records), as well as a record booklet of the Albert Schweitzer International Convocation in 1966.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in one chronological series.

• Albert Schweitzer papers, 1949; 1966

Description

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a lecture in German titled "Goethe: His Personality and Work" given by Schweitzer in July 1949 at the International Goethe Convocation in Aspen, Colorado (this was the only time Schweitzer ever visited the United States). The lecture is recorded on two vinyl 78rpm records, with an introduction by G. A. Borgese and translation by Thornton Wilder. This collection also contains a booklet from the Albert Schweitzer International Convocation held in Aspen in May 1966. The convocation continued the work that began with Schweitzer's visit to the United States in 1949, and was divided into seven sessions with multiple scholars discussing topics including Schweitzer's humanitarian contributions, his contributions to music and the arts, and his contributions to theology and philosophy.

• Albert Schweitzer papers, 1949; 1966

  This series contains a lecture in German titled "Goethe: His Personality and Work" given by Schweitzer in July 1949 at the International Goethe Convocation in Aspen, Colorado (this was the only time Schweitzer ever visited the United States). The lecture is recorded on two vinyl 78rpm records, with an introduction by G. A. Borgese and translation by Thornton Wilder. This series also contains a booklet from the Albert Schweitzer International Convocation held in Aspen in May 1966. The convocation continued the work that began with Schweitzer's visit to the United States in 1949, and was divided into seven sessions with multiple scholars discussing topics including Schweitzer's humanitarian contributions, his contributions to music and the arts, and his contributions to theology and philosophy.

Burke Library record group:

Missionary Research Library Archives: MRL1, Africa

Using the Collection

Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred Citation

Item description, MRL1: Albert Schweitzer papers, 1949; 1966, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Related Materials

Albert Schweitzer Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries.

The Albert Schweitzer collection, 1905-1983, Princeton University Library Manuscript Division, Princeton, New Jersey.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Formerly part of the independent Missionary Research Library (MRL), the lecture records were accessioned by the Burke Library at the time of the MRL's closure in 1976. The convocation booklet was donated by Laura Person in January 1976.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary

Processing Information

Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. The finding aid was created by Brigette C. Kamsler in 2011, reviewed and updated by Kamsler in 2013 with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2020.

Revision Description

2020-08-21 PDF converted to EAD and description updated by Leah Edelman.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Albert Schweitzer was born to Louis and Adele Schillinger Schweitzer on January 14, 1875 in Kaysersberg, Alsace, then part of Germany. From an early age, he was an accomplished organist. He obtained his D. Philosophy in 1899 from the University of Strasbourg and was licensed in theology in 1900. Schweitzer endeavored to be a medical missionary, and began the study of medicine in 1905 at the University of Strasbourg. He received his medical degree in 1911. In 1912, Schweitzer married Hélène Bresslau. Together they went to Africa and established a hospital in Lambaréné, Gabon in 1913. Hélène and Albert became prisoners of war in 1914 during World War One and returned to Europe in 1918. Albert resumed work in Africa in 1924 and spent the majority of the rest of his life there. In 1952, Albert was awarded the Nobel Prize. He used the money received with the prize to expand the hospital and establish a leper colony in Lambaréné. Along with medicine, theology, philosophy and music, Schweitzer was also outspoken against the dangers of nuclear war and nuclear testing, and was also a prolific writer. Notable works include Geschichte der Leben-Jesu-Forschung (The Quest of the Historical Jesus); a study on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach; The Decay and Restoration of Civilization; and Civilization and Ethics. Albert Schweitzer died in 1965 and is buried in Lambaréné.