Nobel Laureate: Dr. Albert Schweitzer - Monaco-Ville, Monaco

Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Monaco-Ville, Monaco

N 43° 43.920 E 007° 25.587

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Nobel Prize for Peace recipient, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, is located near the Bosio pavillion on La Rocher in Monaco-Ville.

Long Description:

A monument honoring Dr. Albert Schweitzer consists of a bronze bust of the physician mounted on a stone cube. The bust and cube rests on a rectangular block which is inscribed in gold lettering:

DOCTEUR A. SCHWEITZER 

1875 - 1965

PRIX NOBEL DE LA PAIX

DOCTOR A. SCHWEITZER 

1875 - 1965

NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE

Albert Schweitzer was a theologian, organist, philosopher, and physician. he was born on January 14, 1875 in Kaysersberg, Alsace-Lorraine, Germany which is now part of Haut-Rhin, France. He was educated at the Mulhouse Gymnasium and studied theology at the Kaiser Wilhelm University in Strasbourg. He completed his theology studies and published his PhD thesis at the University of Tübingen in 1899.

In 1899, he became a deacon at the church of Saint Nicholas in Strasbourg. In 1900, he completion his licentiate in theology and was ordained as curate. In 1901 he became provisional Principal of the Theological College of Saint Thomas and in 1903 his appointment was made permanent.

He decided he wanted to go to Africa as a medical missionary. In 1905 began the study of medicine at the University of Strasbourg. After he received his M.D. degree he founded his hospital at Lambaréné in French Equatorial Africa in 1913. In 1917 in 1917 he and his wife were sent to a French internment camp as prisoners of war. They were released in 1918 and Schweitzer spent the next six years preaching in Europe. He returned to Lambaréné in 1924 and spent, virtually the rest of his life there. By the 1960's he expanded the hospital to 70 buildings that had a capacity of 500 patients.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1952. But the award was withheld in that year and was given to him on December 10, 1953. With the prize money, he started the leprosarium at Lambaréné. He died on September 4, 1965 in Lambaréné, Gabon.

An accomplished organist, Dr. Schweitzer became famous for giving benefit concerts and lectures in Europe to support his work in Africa. He lived by the philosophy of  “reverence for life”, and the religious and ethical imperatives of helping others.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1952. But the award was withheld in that year and was given to him on December 10, 1953. With the prize money, he started the leprosarium at Lambaréné. He died on September 4, 1965 in Lambaréné, Gabon.