Determined to become a medical missionary, he obtained a
        doctorate in medicine at the University of Strasbourg and in 1913
        established a hospital at Lambarene, Gabon. Except for frequent trips
        to Europe to raise money and a visit to the United States in 1949 to 
        address the Goethe Festival Colorado, he remained in Gabon,
        establishing extensive medical facilities that received financial
        support throughout the world.
             Schweitzer was honoured in many countries for his work as a
        scientist and humanitarian, his artistry as an organist, and his
        contributions as a theologian; he was awarded the 1952 Nobel Peace
        Prize. His biography of Bach, published in 1905, considered to be one
        of the best studies of the master, along with his edition (with C. M.
        Widor, 1912-1914) of Bach's organ music, made him an outstanding
        authority on Bach.
             'On the Edge of the Primeval Forest" is an account of his early
        years at Lambarene, supplemented later by 'More from the Primeval
        Forest' and 'From My African Notebook'. Schweitzer's philosophy is
        developed in 'Philosophy of Civilization'. "Reverence for Life" is the
        term Schweitzer used for a universal concept of ethics. He believed
        that such ethics would reconcile the drives of altruism and egoism by
        requiring a respect for the lives of all other beings and by demanding
        the highest development of the individual's resources. A profound
        Christian, Schweitzer was unorthodox in that he rejected the
        historical infallability of Jesus while following him spiritually. His
        theological works include 'The Quest of the Historical Jesus'  and
        'The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle'.

Source: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2001.