Helene Schweitzer-Bresslau (1879-1957)

The woman beside Schweitzer

25.1.1879 Born in Berlin, daughter of Harry Bresslau and Caroline Isay 
1890 Moves to Strasbourg, where the father works as professor in Ordinary for medieval history 
1898 Final tests as professor for higher daughters schools 
1898 Helene Bresslau meets Albert Schweitzer on a marriage of a mutual friend
1900 Beginning of the study of history and history of art
3.22.1902 Beginning of the intensive friendship with Schweitzer
1902/3 Stay in England, works as a teacher and governess, and as a translator of Russian
1904 A three month study in nursing, then stays for several month with her parents in Hamburg, occupied with philosophy and theology. 
1905 - 1909 First inspector of the orphanage of Strasbourg
1905 Schweitzer tells her of his decision to go to Africa as a physician 
1908 Foundation of a home for fallen girls 
1909 Helene begins an apprenticeship as a nurse in Frankfort/Main
18.6.1912 Marriage with Albert Schweitzer
26.3.1913 Departure for Lambaréné
1913 - 1917 Working at the first hospital with Schweitzer 
Sept. 1917 Repatriation as internee to France, in bad health 
14.1.1919 Birth of the daughter Rhena on Schweitzer's 44. birthday 
1922 Outbreak of the tuberculosis, preventing her return to Lambaréné
from 1924 Living at Königsfeld, Black Forest, where Albert Schweitzer built a house
1929 Voyage to Lambaréné with Albert Schweitzer. Heavy shivering fits force her to return to Europe 
Aug. 1930 Nine months in the sanitarium of Dr. Max Gerson in Kassel
Sept. 1932 Moved to Lausanne, because of her Jewish origin.
1937 Moved with Rhena to New York
1935 Promotion tour in America together with her daughter Rhena in support of the Lambaréné hospital. Thanks to her, America knew the hospital and sent medicines during the war.
June 1940 Flight from Paris with the family of Rhena to the free south of France
1941 Reaches Lambaréné by a very adventurous route through Portugal and Angola to stay at her husband's side throughout the war.
1946 Return to Europe
1949 Accompanies Albert Schweitzer to the USA for his commemorative speech for the 200. anniversary of Goethe birth.
1954 Accompanies Schweitzer to Oslo to accept the Noble Peace Price
1956-1957 Last visit to Lambaréné
1.6.1957 Helene Schweitzer-Bresslau died in Zurich. Her ashes are buried in Lambaréné.

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Last modified: 9. July 2001