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John D. Regester collection on Albert Schweitzer

 Collection
Identifier: Mss-018

Scope and Contents

The John D. Regester Collection on Albert Schweitzer is primarily composed of Regester's pamphlets on Schweitzer and correspondence with other Schweitzer scholars about Schweitzer (1875-1965) and his work. The collection also contains some correspondence between Regester and Schweitzer. The Schweitzer letters were dictated to a colleague who translated them to English before sending them to Regester. The collection includes photographs, artifacts, and recordings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1924-1974
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1960 - 1972

Creator

Language of Materials

Includes material in English, German and French.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Collins Memorial Library provides access to its collections in order to support research and education. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the use or reproduction of some items may be restricted by the terms of the gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, or university policy. It is the user's responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or any other use restrictions when publishing or otherwise disseminating materials found in the collections.

Biographical Note

John D. Regester was professor of philosophy and Dean at the College of Puget Sound (now University of Puget Sound) from 1924 to 1965. Regester wrote his dissertation on Schweitzer in 1928 which was later published in 1931 by Abingdon Press, the first book on Schweitzer (1875-1965), a medical missionary, philosopher, and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1952) who operated a hospital in Lambarene, Gabon, for 45 years. As a result, Schweitzer referred to Regester as his "First American Friend." Regester visited Lambarene, Gabon, French Equatorial Africa, twice to see Schweitzer. The second time he arrived just days after Schweitzer's funeral. During this second trip Regester acquired African funeral relics (face masks and wooden bell) which are in the collection. Traditionally these items are buried with the body but due to Regester's relationship with Schweitzer they were gifted to Regester.

Extent

2.45 Cubic Feet (7 boxes)

Abstract

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a medical missionary, philosopher, and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1952) who operated a hospital in Lambarene, Gabon, for 45 years. This collection contains Schweitzer biographer John D. Regester’s collection of Schweitzer-related correspondence, files, articles, clippings, photographs, and a 1940 manuscript on Indian and Chinese thought, and African artifacts.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged by format.

Separated Materials

One DVD in CD/DVD Binder: Range 3 Section E Shelf 7.

Title
Guide to the John D. Regester Collection on Albert Schweitzer
Status
Completed
Author
Elizabeth Knight and Patt Leonard
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Puget Sound, Archives & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Collins Memorial Library
1500 N. Warner Street #1021
Tacoma 98416-1021 United States us