Albert Schweitzer, French-Gabonese physician and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1965)
Ludwig Philipp Albert Schweitzer (German: [ˈalbɛʁt ˈʃvaɪ̯t͡sɐ] (listen); 14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965) was an Alsatian-German polymath. He was a theologian, organist, musicologist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician. A Lutheran, Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of Jesus as depicted by the historical-critical method current at this time, as well as the traditional Christian view. His contributions to the interpretation of Pauline Christianity concern the role of Paul's mysticism of "being in Christ" as primary and the doctrine of Justification by Faith as secondary.
He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy of "Reverence for Life", becoming the eighth Frenchman to be awarded that prize. His philosophy was expressed in many ways, but most famously in founding and sustaining the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, which up to 1958 was situated in French Equatorial Africa, and after this in Gabon. As a music scholar and organist, he studied the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and influenced the Organ Reform Movement (Orgelbewegung).
1875Jan, 14
Albert Schweitzer
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Events on 1875
- 25Feb
Empress Dowager Cixi
Guangxu Emperor of Qing dynasty China begins his reign, under Empress Dowager Cixi's regency. - 3Mar
Opéra-Comique
Georges Bizet's opera Carmen receives its première at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. - 15Mar
John McCloskey
Archbishop of New York John McCloskey is named the first cardinal in the United States.