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Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer

3 7.2
A French doctor and musician famous for spending much of his life helping people in Africa
  • proper noun
: Albert Schweitzer
  • Albert Schweitzer is celebrated for his humanitarian work as a medical missionary in Gabon.

Examples

  • Many scholars admire Albert Schweitzer for his philosophy of 'Reverence for Life.'

  • The hospital founded by Albert Schweitzer continues to serve patients in Gabon today.

  • Albert Schweitzer devoted much of his life to providing medical care in Africa.

  • Albert Schweitzer was a great man.

  • What a remarkable life Albert Schweitzer led!

  • Many people recognize Albert Schweitzer for his ethical philosophy promoting compassion.

  • Albert Schweitzer wrote extensively about his experiences in Africa and his philosophy.

Surface Forms

Morphology

Albert + Schweitzer

This is a proper name composed of two personal-name constituents that do not encode the biographical meaning (philosopher, physician, humanitarian). Knowing the words 'Albert' and 'Schweitzer' only signals that this is a person's name; a B1 learner cannot derive the specific identity or life-history from the constituents alone, so the expression is idiomatic in its referential content.

Etymology

Albert Schweitzer was a famous doctor, organist, and thinker who left Europe to run a hospital in Gabon, Africa. He taught a view called 'Reverence for Life' and is remembered for caring for others, so his name now reminds people of deep care for life and helping others.