Albert Schweitzer (January 14, 1875-September 4, 1965) entered into his intensive theological studies in 1893 at the University of Strasbourg where he obtained a doctorate in philosophy in 1899. He began preaching at St. Nicholas Church in Strasbourg in 1899; he served in various high ranking administrative posts from 1901 to 1912 in the Theological College of St. Thomas, the college he had attended at the University of Strasbourg. In 1906 he published the Quest of the Historical Jesus, a book on which muich of his fame as a theological scholear rests.
From his professional engagements he earned funds for his education, particularly his later madical schooling, and for his african hospital.
Having decided to go to Africa as a medical missionary rather than as a pastor, Schweitzer in 1905 began the study of medicine at the University of Strasbourg. In 1913, having obtained his M.D. degree. But in 1917 he and his wife were sent to a French internment camp as prisoners of war. Released in 1918, Schweitzer spent the next six years in Europe.
Schweitzer returned to Lambarene in 1924 and except for relatively short periods of time, spent the remainder of his life there. With the funds earned from his own royalties and personal appearance fees and with those donaed from all parts of the world, he expanded the hospital to seventy buildings which by the early 1960’s could take care of over 500 patients in residence at any one time.
At Lambarene, Schweitzer was doctor and surgeon in the hospital, pastor of a congregation, administrator in the hospital, pastor of congregation, administrator of a village, superintendent of buildings and grounds, writer of scholarly books, commentator on contemporary history, musician, host to countless visitors. The honours he recei8ved were numerous, including the Goethe Prize of Frankfurt and honorary doctorates from many universities emphasizing one of another of his achievem ents. The Nobel Peace Prize for 1952, hav ing been withheld in that yaar, was given to him on December 10, 1953. With the $33,000 prize money, he started the leprosarium at Lambarene.