Albert Schweitzer, back story

After writing yesterday about the basics of Gabon, I thought today it might behoove me to write a bit about Albert Schweitzer, the man who started the hospital at Lambarene, where I begin my work tomorrow. Once I start work, I can start explaining the hospital and my patients.

So, notre grand Docteur Schweitzer was German-French, having been born in 1875 in Alsace. He initially was a theologian and distinguished himself by writing a famous treatise on the historical Jesus. Along with his theological doctorate, he was also well-known for his masterful organ recitals and seminal work on Bach. In 1905 he read about the Paris Theological Mission's call for a doctor to come to their mission site in Lambarene, Gabon. Although he had no medical training and disagreed with much of their theology, he embarked upon a 7 year process of obtaining a medical doctorate so that he could serve as their doctor and "make his life argument." Schweitzer also argued that rather than preaching to Africans about Christianity, dedicating his life to service in Africa would allow him to show compassion and humanity directly.

After he obtained his medical degree, he and his wife moved to Lambarene, started building the hospital, and saw patients initially in a converted chicken coop. He worked at the hospital most of the time until his death in 1965. He also spent time abroad, giving speeches and organ recitals to raise money for the hospital. In 1952 he received the Nobel Prize for Peace for his work. Discussion and criticism of Schweitzer linger, and probably always will, as to whether he bore paternalistic attitudes towards local Gabonese staff and patients. Regardless of what you think about that question, and how you judge Schweitzer's attitudes, you cannot dispute that he followed through on commitment to moving to Gabon and serving as a doctor here. That shows incredible strong will, faith, and dedication. Coupled with his diverse intellectual achievements and engagements, I find Schweitzer personally relevant and inspirational in my life.