| AdminHistory | Helene Schweitzer (nee Bresslau) was the wife of German doctor, missionary to Africa and theological historian Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965). In 1913 Albert and Helene Schweitzer opened a hospital in Lambarene, Gabon, a province of French Equatorial Africa which provided medical care for people living in this deprived area of the country. In 1915 Albert Schweitzer devised the ethical philosophy of 'Reverence for Life', a theory of unity and inter-dependence in life which influenced the development of later welfare movements. He was awarded the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Schweitzer was the author of 'The Quest of the Historical Jesus', a book of Biblical historical criticism published in 1906 which examined historical approaches to interpreting Jesus Christ. Helene Schweitzer shared many of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's interests in social reform for women and children. Before her marriage to Schweitzer, Helene had been involved in public philanthropic work in Strasbourg where she had supported the welfare of orphans and established a home for unmarried mothers. |