Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a Franco-German philosopher, theologian, and physician. He and his wife, a nurse, established a mission hospital in 1913 in Lambaréné in Gabon, Africa and later founded a colony to care for individuals with leprosy. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting a "reverence for life."
William Larimer "Larry" Mellon (1910-1989) and his wife Gwen Grant Mellon (d. 2000) were influenced by Schweitzer's work to become physicians. Larry, formerly an Arizona cattle rancher, and Gwen, a medical technician, were instrumental in the founding, construction and ongoing operation of L'Hôpital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschapelles, Haiti beginning in 1956. The Mellons spent most of their working lives in Haiti, establishing health care, educational, and community development programs. They set up the non-profit Grant Foundation to enable the continued operation of the HAS.
From the guide to the Grant Foundation / Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Records, before 2000, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)
