Dr Schweitzer: A charismatic persona and an incredible journey

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Dr Schweitzer lived for 90 years, between 1875 and 1965. He spent his life in turbulent times, and gained tremendous respect on either sides of the fence. With many unmatched talents, he was a philosopher, musician, physician, philanthropist and a human right activist. He also has an incredible postal presence, honoured not only by east, west and united Germany, but also by France, Netherlands, Hungary, and many countries across Africa.

He was born in 1875 in Alsace, a region bordering France and Germany. Only a few years earlier, in 1871 Germany had incorporated Alsace. Later in 1918, with German defeat in the first world war, it again became part of France. Briefly between 1940-44 Alsace was again part of Germany, before becoming French again. This political change reflects Alsatian culture, which is a blend of French and German influences. Despite this political tug-of-war, Schweitzer has regularly featured in French as well as German stamps.

Before being a doctor (1875-1913)

Schweitzer was born, brought-up in Alsace and got his university education in Strasbourg (then in Germany and now in France). His father was a pastor, and it was perhaps natural for him to study philosophy at the university. In 1899, he obtained his doctorate. He started preaching at the local church, and became famous for his modern views about christianity. He also was an avid musician, and by 1893, was already performing on organ and piano. As a philosopher he heeded the call “Heal the Sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give..” and stressed on action, rather than mere preaching.

In 1905, at the age of 31 he decided to become a doctor, and enrolled in medical school the next year. This was a conscious decision, as he could directly help fellow humans. In 1913, fresh out of medical school, he was set to sail for Africa.

A medical missionary (The first stint 1913-1924)

Schweitzer had married Helene Bresslau (the daughter of a professor of history at Strasbourg), a year earlier in 1912. Both of them sailed to equatorial Africa in 1913 at their own expense, and set-up a hospital at a Paris Missionary Society station, on the banks of the Ogooué River. This was a first medical facility in the equatorial Africa . In next nine months, the couple treated more than 2000 patients with leprosy, dysentery, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, malaria, and yellow fever.

In 1914, Schweitzer’s were technically German citizens in a French colony. While they continued their medical work, French took them under observation. In 1918 Germany lost the war. French transferred both Schweitzer’s to France. The same year he and his family became French Nationals, and for next six years, he was raising more money for his hospital in Equatorial Africa, through musical recitals and lectures.

The second stint (1924 onwards)

In 1924, he was back in Africa. His older buildings had decayed. He used his funds to rebuild the hospital by 1925-26. As more doctors joined, and his hospital stabilised, he continued to raise funds by his own efforts for years to come. These struggles are featured in a 2009 landmark drama “Albert Schweitzer”.

Love for nature and animals

He stayed on in Equatorial Africa during the second world war. Schweitzer also believed that all should live a portion of their lives for others. His philosophy embraced not only humans but also all living creatures, as was demonstrated by the multitude of animals that populated the hospital grounds.

Peace and anti-nuclear activist (1950-)

Schweitzer was a witness to both world wars and the subsequent cold-war. In early 1950s, world had witnessed horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He joined hands with Albert Einstein, Otto Hahn, Bertrand Russell, and others to urge a ban on the use of nuclear weapons. In 1952, Nobel committee awarded Schweitzer with Nobel Peace Prize. Predictably, he used the $33,000 monetary award to fund the addition of a leprosy wing at his hospital.

While Dr. Schweitzer became more famous for his peace efforts, he devoted his life practicing medicine in a remote location where few of his colleagues would dare to visit.

Albert Schweitzer died on September 4, 1965, at the age of 90, in his modest quarters at Lambaréné, Gabon. He was buried on the banks of the Ogowe River, a simple self-made cross marking his grave. Today, his hospital at Lambaréné continues to serve the needs of the people of the region.